How many accidents has the Cessna 172K had?

The NTSB has recorded 226 events involving the Cessna 172K: 34 fatal, 22 serious, 37 minor injuries, and 133 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Cessna 172K a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Cessna 172K has 226 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Cessna 172K Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 226 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.

226

All Events

133

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (62 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Dec 27, 2013	Fresno, CA	N251JM	Fatal (2)	destroyed	The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees while on approach, which subsequently led to a loss of airplane control. Also causal was… The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees while on approach, which subsequently led to a loss of airplane control. Also causal was the pilot’s continued operation of the airplane at night with a diagnosed medical condition that degraded his night vision.
Jun 12, 2013	Newton, MS	N7045G	Fatal (1)	substantial	The student pilot's failure to increase engine power during the descent for landing when instructed to do so by the flight instructor and the flight i… The student pilot's failure to increase engine power during the descent for landing when instructed to do so by the flight instructor and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in collision with a static wire. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's failure to use hearing amplification as required by his Federal Aviation Administration medical certificate.
Nov 18, 2012	Savannah, GA	N78304	Fatal (1)	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while operating in night, instrument meteorological conditions, due to spatial disorientation.
Sep 15, 2012	Atqasuk, AK	N84549	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control while performing a high-speed taxi in windy conditions.
Jul 04, 2012	Greers Ferry, AR	N84279	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain a positive rate of climb while taking off with a high density altitude.
Jun 15, 2012	Tupelo, MS	N78794	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Mar 20, 2012	Belfast, ME	N46492	Incident	substantial	The flight instructor’s failure to ensure the radio was set correctly to activate the pilot-controlled lighting, which resulted in poor positioning fo… The flight instructor’s failure to ensure the radio was set correctly to activate the pilot-controlled lighting, which resulted in poor positioning for a proper landing and a subsequent off-runway forced landing during an attempted go-around. Contributing to the accident was a partial loss of engine power due to carburetor ice.
Mar 16, 2012	Pensacola, FL	N79509	Incident	substantial	A total loss of engine power due to the improper installation of the crankshaft gear bolt or lockplate by maintenance personnel. Contributing to the a… A total loss of engine power due to the improper installation of the crankshaft gear bolt or lockplate by maintenance personnel. Contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.
Nov 28, 2011	Napa, CA	N7952A	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's improper landing flare, inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, and loss of directional control.
Oct 30, 2011	Florence, MT	N7276G	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a power line during a low-level flight along a river. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's deci… The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a power line during a low-level flight along a river. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to fly at a low altitude.
Aug 05, 2011	Sylacauga, AL	N7214G	Incident	substantial	A stuck exhaust-valve on the number one cylinder which resulted in a loss of engine power.
May 05, 2011	Farmersville, TX	N46400	Incident	substantial	A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's improper fuel management.
Apr 06, 2011	Bar Harbor, ME	N46643	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate landing flare while landing with a gusting wind, which resulted in a hard landing.
Apr 01, 2011	San Antonio, TX	N79286	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's inadequate compensation for wind while landing in gusty wind conditions.
Mar 05, 2011	Ocracoke, NC	N84867	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s inadequate flare and failure to regain control of the airplane while attempting to recover from bounced landing.
Nov 15, 2010	San Antonio, TX	N7183G	Serious (3)	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to lan… The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to land with a tailwind.
Jul 10, 2010	Boyne City, MI	N79097	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point and delayed go-around.
May 31, 2010	Wellington, KS	N78612	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to properly secure the airplane while manually starting the engine with the propeller.
Apr 03, 2010	Romney, WV	N79234	Minor	substantial	The pilot's improper decision to land with a 20-knot tailwind and his failure to initiate a go-around, which resulted in a runway overrun.
Jul 13, 2009	Pine River, MN	N79908	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
Sep 03, 2008	Tunkhannock, PA	N79210	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper airspeed while landing.
Aug 04, 2008	Gearhart, OR	N828CC	Fatal (2)	destroyed	The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the initial climb after takeoff due to spatial disorientation.
Apr 11, 2008	Roseglen, ND	N7490G	Fatal (2)	substantial	The pilot failed to maintain obstacle clearance from the TV antenna during a low altitude maneuver. Contributing factors were the antenna, the night … The pilot failed to maintain obstacle clearance from the TV antenna during a low altitude maneuver. Contributing factors were the antenna, the night conditions, and pilot impairment due to alcohol.
Aug 20, 2007	Charlotte, NC	N7410G	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing.
Jul 02, 2007	Newcastle, UT	N84888	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty and crosswind condition, and his failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff.

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 172K Safety Record

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