How many accidents has the Cessna 172H had?

The NTSB has recorded 180 events involving the Cessna 172H: 25 fatal, 28 serious, 30 minor injuries, and 97 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Cessna 172H a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Cessna 172H has 180 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Cessna 172H Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 180 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.

180

All Events

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (43 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Jul 12, 2003	Sullivan Lake, WA	N2805L	Serious (1)	substantial	The pilot-in-command's downwind landing. A contributing factor was the tailwind condition.
Jun 30, 2003	Plymouth, IN	N3832R	Incident	substantial	The collision with a deer during landing.
Jun 11, 2003	East Vincent, PA	N3027U	Minor	substantial	The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/preparation which resulted in fuel exhaustion during cruise flight. The pilot's inadequate preflight prepar… The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/preparation which resulted in fuel exhaustion during cruise flight. The pilot's inadequate preflight preparation in which he failed to refuel the airplane is a contributing factor.
Jun 07, 2003	Glasgow, MT	N2786L	Incident	substantial	A loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. Contributing factors were carburetor icing conditions and the muddy, wet terrain at the landing site.
May 27, 2003	Council Bluffs, IA	N1730F	Incident	substantial	Misjudgment of the landing flare by the pilot in command resulting in a hard landing.
May 13, 2003	Somerville, TN	N1748F	Incident	substantial	The pilot's misjudged approach airspeed and distance which resulted in an undershoot of the runway and collision with terrain.
Apr 12, 2003	Holt, MO	N3831R	Serious (1)	substantial	The pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A factor to the accident were… The pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A factor to the accident were the trees.
Mar 08, 2003	Callao, MO	N275SW	Minor	substantial	A loss of engine power due to the erosion of the number 2 piston, resulting in loss of compression on that cylinder. Contributing factors were the ta… A loss of engine power due to the erosion of the number 2 piston, resulting in loss of compression on that cylinder. Contributing factors were the tailwind, the muddy runway condition, and the roadway and ditch.
Dec 04, 2002	Leeds, MA	N2706L	Minor	substantial	The flight instructor's failure to ensure adequate fuel onboard, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power.
Sep 22, 2002	Weed, CA	N2469L	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to follow adequate hand propping engine starting procedures.
Aug 27, 2002	Fairbanks, AK	N3752F	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the airplane exiting the runway and colliding with obje… The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the airplane exiting the runway and colliding with objects. Factors contributing to the accident were the rough and uneven runway, and the premature lift-off of the airplane.
Jun 06, 2002	Palmetto, FL	N260WB	Fatal (1)	destroyed	The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in a stall while maneuvering after a banner release.
Apr 21, 2002	Ehrhardt, SC	N2815L	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to attain proper touchdown point while landing on a wet grass runway, resulting in the airplane departing the runway and impactin… the pilot's failure to attain proper touchdown point while landing on a wet grass runway, resulting in the airplane departing the runway and impacting with trees.
Feb 18, 2002	Hackensack, MN	N1463F	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for the winds conditions which resulted in the failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors a… The pilot's inadequate compensation for the winds conditions which resulted in the failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors associated with the accident were the gusty crosswind conditions and the trees alongside the runway which the airplane contacted.
Feb 21, 2001	Centralia, IL	N733SS	Fatal (2)	destroyed	The student pilot allowed the airspeed to get too low and inadvertently stalled the airplane, and the CFI delayed in taking remedial action.
Dec 12, 2000	SAN DIEGO, CA	N4959R	Serious (2)	substantial	The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and weather evaluation that resulted in the inadvertant entry into instrument meteorological conditions whil… The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and weather evaluation that resulted in the inadvertant entry into instrument meteorological conditions while conducting visual flight. A factor was fog and the night visual conditions.
Nov 15, 2000	KALKASKA, MI	N1706F	Minor	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control on the ground. Factors relating to this accident were the student pilot's improper abort pro… The student pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control on the ground. Factors relating to this accident were the student pilot's improper abort procedures, the sign, and the ditch.
Oct 07, 2000	HILO, HI	N3715R	Incident	substantial	An inadvertent pilot-induced porpoise resulting from the pilot's improper landing flare and inadequate power management.
Aug 12, 2000	PEACHTREE CITY, GA	N1749F	Fatal (3)	substantial	The pilot's improper use of takeoff checklist procedures, and his failure to maintain flying speed, which resulted in a stall and subsequent collision… The pilot's improper use of takeoff checklist procedures, and his failure to maintain flying speed, which resulted in a stall and subsequent collision with the ground. Factors: A factor was the landing flaps were not retracted.
Jul 16, 2000	RAINELLE, WV	N1748F	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain a proper decent rate. A factor was the up-sloping runway.
Jul 03, 2000	KUTZTOWN, PA	N8805Z	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and his delay in remedial action.
Jul 01, 2000	FRIENDLY, MD	N1688F	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's inadequate compensation for winds that resulted in his failure to maintain runway alignment and a hard landing.
Jun 26, 2000	ANGEL FIRE, NM	N2526L	Fatal (2)	destroyed	The pilot's improper inflight decision to prematurely attempt a climb towards rising terrain before sufficient altitude had been attained that would a… The pilot's improper inflight decision to prematurely attempt a climb towards rising terrain before sufficient altitude had been attained that would assure adequate obstacle clearance. Factors were high density altitude and trees.
Jun 08, 2000	FOLEY, AL	N2849L	Serious (2)	substantial	The pilot exceeding the performance capability of the airplane during takeoff. A factor was the trees.
May 13, 2000	MESQUITE, TX	N2440L	Incident	substantial	The flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the student pilot during the landing.

Disclaimer: This data is sourced from the NTSB Aviation Accident Database. NTSB events reflect reported accidents and incidents and do not necessarily indicate a defect in the aircraft type. Many events involve pilot error, weather conditions, maintenance issues, or other factors unrelated to the aircraft design. This information is provided for research purposes only — consult official NTSB reports for complete details.

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Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data

Cessna 172H Safety Record

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