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
Aug 05, 1997	LANGLEY, WA	N73158	Incident	substantial	A failed exhaust valve. Factors were tailwind and excessive airspeed during the ensuing forced landing. .
Aug 01, 1997	MILTON, WV	N80987	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Jul 20, 1997	ATHENS, TN	N13428	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to initiate a go-around. The pilot's misjudged approach was a factor.
Jul 01, 1997	UNKNOWN, UT	N4395R	Incident	substantial	Undetermined.
Jun 22, 1997	GROSSE ILE, MI	N4491R	Incident	substantial	the instructor pilot's inadequate planning/decision, resulting in an inadvertent stall situation.
May 28, 1997	PERRY, GA	N13375	Incident	substantial	the pilot misjudged his distance/airspeed during the approach to land, and touched down long on the runway.
May 18, 1997	GALION, OH	N4430R	Incident	substantial	The inadvertent encounter with the helicopter main rotor downwash during the initial takeoff climb. Subsequently, the airplane descended and impacted… The inadvertent encounter with the helicopter main rotor downwash during the initial takeoff climb. Subsequently, the airplane descended and impacted the ground.
Apr 05, 1997	TAMPA, FL	N1385U	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper compensation for wind conditions and failure to properly flare the airplane for landing. Factors relating to the accident were: … the pilot's improper compensation for wind conditions and failure to properly flare the airplane for landing. Factors relating to the accident were: the gusty/quartering wind conditions, and the pilot's improper use of flaps for landing.
Mar 31, 1997	CINCINNATI, OH	N73455	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a collision with… the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a collision with tree(s) and a ditch.
Mar 27, 1997	POMPANO BEACH, FL	N5123H	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in overload failure of the nose gear.
Feb 24, 1997	PETALUMA, CA	N20508	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and his failure to maintain directional control.
Dec 04, 1996	BETHEL, AK	N20024	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper planning/decision, and resultant failure to obtain/maintain sufficient airspeed during takeoff. A factor related the accident wa… the pilot's improper planning/decision, and resultant failure to obtain/maintain sufficient airspeed during takeoff. A factor related the accident was: taking off with a tailwind.
Oct 05, 1996	TUTTLE, OK	N172JF	Incident	substantial	failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during takeoff roll, which resulted in a ground swerve. Factors relating to the accident were: t… failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during takeoff roll, which resulted in a ground swerve. Factors relating to the accident were: tall grass along the edges of the runway, and the proximity of the fence, fence posts, and trees.
Oct 01, 1996	CEDAR CITY, UT	N5459H	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to attain proper airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in a premature lift-off and an encounter with the terrain during the abor… the pilot's failure to attain proper airspeed during takeoff, which resulted in a premature lift-off and an encounter with the terrain during the aborted landing. Excessive extension of the wing flaps was a related factor.
Sep 07, 1996	PACIFIC CITY, OR	N12382	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to see-and-avoid the transmission line. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's low altitude flight, and the transmiss… the pilot's failure to see-and-avoid the transmission line. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's low altitude flight, and the transmission line.
Aug 24, 1996	TRUCKEE, CA	N64198	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control. The encounter with a di… the student pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control. The encounter with a ditch was a related factor.
Aug 04, 1996	CINCINNATI, OH	N172PS	Incident	substantial	failure of the student pilot to maintain sufficient airspeed during an attempted go-around, which resulted in a stall/spin and an uncontrolled collisi… failure of the student pilot to maintain sufficient airspeed during an attempted go-around, which resulted in a stall/spin and an uncontrolled collision with the ground. A factor related to the accident was: an improper (premature) flare for landing.
Jul 19, 1996	TREMONT CITY, OH	N9731V	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's misjudged flare which resulted in a hard landing.
Jul 16, 1996	ORLANDO, FL	N6600H	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's improper level off during landing.
Jun 12, 1996	SEDONA, AZ	N12341	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. The variable/gusty/quartering tail wind was a related factor.
May 13, 1996	FINDLAY, OH	N73664	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's misjudged flare during landing.
Mar 14, 1996	NAPA, CA	N20858	Incident	substantial	the failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other aircraft, and the failure of the pilot of the Cessna 172L, N7668G, to follow VFR procedures by n… the failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other aircraft, and the failure of the pilot of the Cessna 172L, N7668G, to follow VFR procedures by not yielding the right of way to the Cessna 172M, N20858, which was already established in the traffic pattern.
Mar 04, 1996	BEDFORD, MA	N61992	Incident	substantial	the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight, the pilot's improper compensation for the wind conditions, and the high wind. The instr… the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight, the pilot's improper compensation for the wind conditions, and the high wind. The instructor's inadequate evaluation of the weather was a contributing factor.
Feb 24, 1996	WAREHOUSE POINT, CT	N12219	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind and gusts. The wind conditions were factors.
Feb 04, 1996	MCLEARY, WA	N6750H	Incident	substantial	failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from mountainous/wooded terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: the terrain an… failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from mountainous/wooded terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: the terrain and downdraft conditions.

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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