How many accidents has the Cessna 172M had?

The NTSB has recorded 810 events involving the Cessna 172M: 128 fatal, 72 serious, 136 minor injuries, and 472 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Cessna 172M a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Cessna 172M has 810 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Cessna 172M Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 810 events recorded from 1974 to 2026.

810

All Events

472

Incidents

136

Minor

Serious

128

Fatal (233 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Feb 07, 2004	Cumberland, MD	N61648	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind while landing. A factor was the crosswind.
Jan 28, 2004	Jeffersonville, IN	N70256	Incident	substantial	The pilot selecting a closed runway for landing and the collapse of the nose landing gear. Factors were the pilot's failure to obtain NOTAM informati… The pilot selecting a closed runway for landing and the collapse of the nose landing gear. Factors were the pilot's failure to obtain NOTAM information and the snowbank across the closed runway.
Dec 26, 2003	Elk City, ID	N1363U	Serious (2)	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during a go-around. Factors include dark night conditions and trees.
Oct 28, 2003	Bandon, OR	N80628	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from objects while on final approach. Dark night conditions, trees and a low glidepath were factors.
Oct 23, 2003	Montague, CA	N80543	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control.
Oct 16, 2003	Sanford, NC	N64255	Minor	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control on landing roll resulting in a collision with a ditch, and subsequent nose over.
Sep 18, 2003	Perry, GA	N13375	Fatal (1)	substantial	The pilot inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane, and also causal was his failure to detect water-contaminated fuel which resulted in a loss … The pilot inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane, and also causal was his failure to detect water-contaminated fuel which resulted in a loss of engine power and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an stall.
Sep 14, 2003	Tucson, AZ	N73179	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper flare. A contributing factor was the tailwind.
Sep 11, 2003	Ardmore, OK	N9651Q	Minor	substantial	The failure of the pilot to adequately compensate for existing wind conditions. A contributing factor was the gusty crosswind conditions from the eas… The failure of the pilot to adequately compensate for existing wind conditions. A contributing factor was the gusty crosswind conditions from the east.
Aug 30, 2003	Hendersonville, NC	N19929	Serious (2)	substantial	The pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather. The downdraft was a contributing factor.
Aug 24, 2003	Riverside, CA	N64291	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's misjudged distance and altitude, and the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. Also causal was the instructor's dela… The student pilot's misjudged distance and altitude, and the instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. Also causal was the instructor's delayed remedial action.
Aug 04, 2003	La Monte, MO	N73660	Incident	substantial	The pilot's misjudgment of speed and distance resulting in an overrun of the runway.
Jul 09, 2003	McAllen, TX	N13368	Fatal (2)	destroyed	The pilot's failure to recover from a bounced landing which resulted in a loss of control. Contributing factors were the gusty winds.
Jul 02, 2003	Roscommon, MI	N172DE	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a water landing. A factor contributing to the accident was the rough water.
Jun 25, 2003	Bristow, OK	N20679	Serious (2)	substantial	The pilot's premature retracting of the flaps, and his failure to maintain airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall.
Jun 22, 2003	Beaumont, TX	N753MF	Serious (1)	substantial	The instructor's delay in executing a go-around and his failure to maintain aircraft control due to inadequate compensation of wind gusts. A contrib… The instructor's delay in executing a go-around and his failure to maintain aircraft control due to inadequate compensation of wind gusts. A contributing factor was the gusty winds.
Jun 15, 2003	Gridley, IL	N20553	Minor	substantial	The checklist not followed by the pilot and the fuel starvation of the engine. The incorrect fuel tank selector position by the pilot,, and the lack … The checklist not followed by the pilot and the fuel starvation of the engine. The incorrect fuel tank selector position by the pilot,, and the lack of recurrent training were contributing factors.
Jun 07, 2003	West Chicago, IL	N13474	Serious (1)	destroyed	The abrupt pull-up initiated by the pilot during takeoff before airspeed was attained resulting in a stall. Factors contributing to the accident were… The abrupt pull-up initiated by the pilot during takeoff before airspeed was attained resulting in a stall. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane on takeoff and the crosswind.
Jun 01, 2003	Conroe, TX	N9900V	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to attain/maintain sufficient airspeed, which resulted in a stall/mush.
May 27, 2003	Midland, MI	N61635	Incident	substantial	The pilot misjugded the flare and his improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Mar 23, 2003	Savannah, GA	N13591	Serious (2)	substantial	The pilot misjudged the landing distance, landed with excessive airspeed, did not attempt a go-around resulting in the airplane going off the overrun,… The pilot misjudged the landing distance, landed with excessive airspeed, did not attempt a go-around resulting in the airplane going off the overrun, and colliding with trees.
Mar 17, 2003	Idaho Falls, ID	N64427	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain proper runway alignment (centerline tracking) during a go around maneuver resulting in the aircraft impacting … The student pilot's failure to maintain proper runway alignment (centerline tracking) during a go around maneuver resulting in the aircraft impacting a runway light. Contributing factors were the gusty/crosswind conditions and the light fixture.
Feb 12, 2003	Leesburg, MS	N22593	Minor	substantial	The pilot's improper use of flaps, resulting in the degradation of climb performance and collision with the ground.
Jan 29, 2003	Logan, NM	N64312	Minor	substantial	the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision, his failure to accomplish appropriate checklist items during the go-around, and his failure to maint… the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision, his failure to accomplish appropriate checklist items during the go-around, and his failure to maintain clearance from the trees and the lamp post. Factors contributing to the accident were the low altitude, low airspeed, the trees, and the lamp pole.
Dec 06, 2002	Moline, IL	N80213	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain altitude clearance during a base to final turn on approach. Contributing factors to the accident were the night condi… The pilot's failure to maintain altitude clearance during a base to final turn on approach. Contributing factors to the accident were the night conditions and the trees.

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 172M Safety Record

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