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 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.
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.
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.
Mar 22, 1998	KINSTON, NC	N35326	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate preflight and improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, loss of engine power, and a forced landing. Soft te… the pilot's inadequate preflight and improper fuel management, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, loss of engine power, and a forced landing. Soft terrain in the emergency landing area was a related factor.
Jun 05, 1997	N. MYRTLE BEACH, SC	N5124G	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate pre-flight inspection which resulted in fuel exhaustion and total loss of engine power. A factor was the soft terrain at the em… The pilot's inadequate pre-flight inspection which resulted in fuel exhaustion and total loss of engine power. A factor was the soft terrain at the emergency landing site.
Sep 07, 1992	NAVARRE, FL	N35302	Incident	substantial	FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AFTER TOUCHDOWN DURING THE FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURIN… FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AFTER TOUCHDOWN DURING THE FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING CRUISE FLIGHT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DIVERTION OF ATTENTION OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO THE AIRPLANE ON THE APCH END OF THE RWY.
Apr 13, 1992	KNIGHTDALE, NC	N8471L	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR CROSSWIND CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL. A FACTOR WAS THE CROSSWIND CONDITIONS AT T… THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR CROSSWIND CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL. A FACTOR WAS THE CROSSWIND CONDITIONS AT THE AIRPORT.
Mar 01, 1992	BAINBRIDGE, GA	N35637	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED ON THE INITIAL CLIMBOUT, AND THE INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH WHICH RESULTED. FACTORS IN THIS ACCIDENT WERE: THE HI… THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED ON THE INITIAL CLIMBOUT, AND THE INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH WHICH RESULTED. FACTORS IN THIS ACCIDENT WERE: THE HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS (TREES) NEAR THE AIRSTRIP.
Jan 22, 1992	GADSDEN, AL	N35308	Incident	substantial	THE IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING BY THE PILOT UNDER EXAMINATION, AND HIS SUBSEQUENT FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. INADEQUATE SU… THE IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING BY THE PILOT UNDER EXAMINATION, AND HIS SUBSEQUENT FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE DESIGNATED EXAMINER WAS A FACTOR.

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 172I Safety Record

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