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
Aug 28, 2025	Goliad, TX	N8078L	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Jul 09, 2025	Century, FL	N3254C	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Jun 29, 2025	Manokotak, AK	N8085L	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s decision to land on an unsuitable landing surface with a tailwind, which resulted in a nose over. Contributing was the pilot’s failure to … The pilot’s decision to land on an unsuitable landing surface with a tailwind, which resulted in a nose over. Contributing was the pilot’s failure to recognize the wind direction, resulting in a tailwind landing.
May 01, 2024	Belle Chasse, LA	N2782L	Incident	substantial	The inadequate landing flare by the flight instructor that resulted in a loss of directional control and impact with terrain.
Aug 19, 2023	Santa Rosa, CA	N3282L	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s inadequate fuel management which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Apr 11, 2023	Charles Town, WV	N2554L	Incident	substantial	A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Aug 11, 2022	Assens, DA	OY-AHY	Incident	—	Investigation pending
Apr 10, 2022	Chugiak, AK	N8020L	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and nose over.
Dec 29, 2020	Cypress, TX	N3702R	Incident	substantial	A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Jan 06, 2020	El Monte, CA	N1658F	Incident	substantial	The inflight separation of a section of a propeller blade due to a fatigue crack which resulted in a forced landing.
Jun 06, 2015	Cottonwood Falls, KS	N2536L	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to attain adequate airspeed to climb the airplane out of ground effect, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a collision wit… The pilot's failure to attain adequate airspeed to climb the airplane out of ground effect, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a collision with terrain.
Aug 14, 2013	Metaline Falls, WA	N8160L	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a windsock pole while taxiing.
Oct 20, 2012	Weyers Cave, VA	N1431F	Incident	substantial	The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Sep 09, 2012	Phillipsburg, OH	N2484L	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Jun 10, 2012	Moscow Mills, MO	N3736R	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff in a gusty crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Feb 15, 2011	Wikieup, AZ	N2561L	Incident	substantial	A total loss of engine power during cruise flight resulting from the failure of a fuel line. Contributing to the accident was inadequate maintenance i… A total loss of engine power during cruise flight resulting from the failure of a fuel line. Contributing to the accident was inadequate maintenance inspections that failed to detect the deteriorating fuel line.
Feb 14, 2011	Plattsburgh, NY	N2593L	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's loss of directional control during the landing flare in gusting wind conditions and the certified flight instructor's delayed reme… The student pilot's loss of directional control during the landing flare in gusting wind conditions and the certified flight instructor's delayed remedial action.
Jan 23, 2010	Nightmute, AK	N3718F	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane in a strong gusting wind, and his decision to taxi for takeoff in such conditions.
Oct 10, 2009	Tucson, AZ	N51302	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff ground roll.
Jul 03, 2009	Clifton, ME	N1782F	Incident	substantial	The pilot's mismanagement of his fuel supply which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power.
Jun 20, 2009	Lovingston, VA	N1664F	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
Feb 22, 2009	Tucson, AZ	N1408F	Incident	minor	The flight instructor’s inadequate situational awareness while taxiing that led to an encounter with jet blast.
Oct 27, 2008	Ingleside, TX	N1714F	Incident	substantial	The pilot's decision to land in crosswind conditions, leading to his inability to maintain directional control. Contributing to the accident were the … The pilot's decision to land in crosswind conditions, leading to his inability to maintain directional control. Contributing to the accident were the crosswinds.
May 11, 2008	Brookshire, TX	N3870R	Incident	substantial	The pilot's decision to duck under marked transmission lines and his failure to maintain clearance from the fence. Contributing to the accident was th… The pilot's decision to duck under marked transmission lines and his failure to maintain clearance from the fence. Contributing to the accident was the marked transmission lines.
Dec 06, 2005	Waycross, GA	N1689F	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's improper landing flare and the CFI's inadequate supervision resulting in a hard 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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