How many accidents has the Cessna 172I had?

The NTSB has recorded 59 events involving the Cessna 172I: 10 fatal, 5 serious, 15 minor injuries, and 29 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Cessna 172I a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Cessna 172I has 59 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Cessna 172I Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 59 events recorded from 1983 to 2025.

All Events

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (16 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Mar 03, 2025	Knoxville, TN	N35411	Incident	substantial	The student pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a truck while taxiing.
Nov 17, 2024	Cordes Lakes, AZ	N8390L	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Nov 14, 2024	Los Angeles, CA	N46028	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Jun 29, 2024	Lewiston Woodville, NC	N46118	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Jun 13, 2024	Ada, OK	N8483L	Incident	substantial	The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing resulting in a runway excursion and impact with a sign.
Aug 28, 2022	Olivet, MI	N46202	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to attain/maintain a proper glidepath that resulted in a hard landing and impact with the runway.
Apr 20, 2022	Blanding, UT	N46055	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s improper landing flare which, resulted in a bounced landing and loss of airplane control during an aborted landing in gusty wind condition… The pilot’s improper landing flare which, resulted in a bounced landing and loss of airplane control during an aborted landing in gusty wind conditions.
Jul 21, 2021	Renton, WA	N46287	Incident	substantial	The boat operator’s failure to remain a safe distance from the floatplane during the takeoff run, which resulted in a collision.
Jan 23, 2015	Nashua, NH	N35560	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's lack of vigilance during taxi, which resulted in a collision with a parked truck. A factor in the accident was the truck operator'… The student pilot's lack of vigilance during taxi, which resulted in a collision with a parked truck. A factor in the accident was the truck operator's decision to park on the edge of an active taxiway.
Apr 22, 2014	Huntsville, AL	N35553	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power.
Feb 10, 2012	McCarthy, AK	N46279	Incident	substantial	The pilot lost directional control during landing.
Jan 19, 2012	Springfield, TN	N35571	Incident	substantial	The pilot did not apply carburetor heat during approach to landing, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.
Jan 19, 2009	Rockford, IL	N35571	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inability to maintain directional control during the landing roll after contacting a low-lying snow bank that was obscured by drifting sno… The pilot's inability to maintain directional control during the landing roll after contacting a low-lying snow bank that was obscured by drifting snow.
Nov 27, 2008	Frederick, MD	N35540	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's delayed decision to abort the landing.
Nov 14, 2008	Osh Kosh, NE	N35667	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while taxing in strong winds.
Nov 03, 2007	Gladwin, MI	N8353L	Fatal (1)	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering at a low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's diverted attention… The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering at a low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's diverted attention while attempting to photograph ground objects.
May 09, 2007	Shelby, OH	N8469L	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to properly achieve the correct touch down point which resulted in a runway over run and subsequent nose over into a ditch. Other … The pilot's failure to properly achieve the correct touch down point which resulted in a runway over run and subsequent nose over into a ditch. Other factors were the pilot's improper decision to land with a tailwind and the ditch.
Apr 20, 2007	Peach Springs, AZ	N35562	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the gusty wind condition encountered on final approach, resulting in a loss of control and an in-flig… The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the gusty wind condition encountered on final approach, resulting in a loss of control and an in-flight collision with a dirt berm. A contributing factor was the gusty wind condition.
Jul 11, 2004	Paris, AR	N46174	Fatal (2)	destroyed	the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation, his attempted flight into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain clearance from the tre… the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation, his attempted flight into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain clearance from the trees resulting in the airplane's collision with the trees and subsequent impact with the ground. Factors contributing to the accident were the fog, the low altitude, the pilot's inability to see objects and the terrain, and the trees.
Sep 02, 2002	Tucson, AZ	N404SW	Incident	substantial	the certified flight instructor's failure to maintain an adequate distance from a jet during taxi. A factor was the local/ground controller's failure… the certified flight instructor's failure to maintain an adequate distance from a jet during taxi. A factor was the local/ground controller's failure to issue a safety alert or cautionary advisory to the pilot with regards to the jet blast of the departing Boeing 737.
Feb 25, 2001	Suffolk, VA	N46115	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision and his failure to refuel, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.
Jul 06, 2000	SANDY, OR	N35359	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point for landing, and his failure to go around from the improperly executed approach. Factors inc… The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point for landing, and his failure to go around from the improperly executed approach. Factors included the pilot's failure to attain the proper glidepath on the approach, a short landing runway, and vegetation off the end of the runway.
Oct 09, 1999	N. EAST CARRY, ME	N35669	Incident	substantial	The pilot's decision to attempt a takeoff under gusty wind and rough water conditions.
Apr 28, 1999	LAS CRUCES, NM	N46204	Incident	substantial	The pilot of N46204's failure to maintain visual lookout and to identify the other aircraft visually during landing.
Nov 13, 1998	JACKSONVILLE, IL	N35302	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors associated with the accident were the student's lack of experien… the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors associated with the accident were the student's lack of experience and the road which the airplane contacted.

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.

← Cessna 172I For Sale All Cessna Models

Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data

Cessna 172I Safety Record

Report an Issue