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
Dec 13, 1990	AUSTIN, MN	N1489U	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND (STUDENT)'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY EVALUATE AND COMPENSATE FOR GUSTY WIND CONDIITONS AND TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL OF THE AIRCRAFT DUR… THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND (STUDENT)'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY EVALUATE AND COMPENSATE FOR GUSTY WIND CONDIITONS AND TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING INITIAL CLIMB. CONTRIBUTING WAS THE STUDENT PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE AND WIND GUSTS.
Oct 30, 1990	TORRANCE, CA	N9592V	Incident	substantial	THE STUDENT PILOT FAILED TO PROPERLY FLARE THE AIRPLANE, MADE AN IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM THE SUBSEQUENT BOUNCED LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT … THE STUDENT PILOT FAILED TO PROPERLY FLARE THE AIRPLANE, MADE AN IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM THE SUBSEQUENT BOUNCED LANDING. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE STUDENT PILOT'S TOTAL LACK OF EXPERIENCE AND HIS IMPROPER USE OF THE RUDDER.
Sep 22, 1990	OROVADA, NV	N13686	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO INITIATE A GO-AROUND. HIS LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE IN TYPE OF OPERATION, (LANDINGS), AND THE INADVERTENT GROUND LOOP WERE FACT… THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO INITIATE A GO-AROUND. HIS LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE IN TYPE OF OPERATION, (LANDINGS), AND THE INADVERTENT GROUND LOOP WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.
Sep 11, 1990	PARKER, CO	N1241U	Incident	substantial	THE DUAL STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE AIRCRAFT POWER PLANT CONTROLS, RESULTED IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.
Sep 09, 1990	LEWISTON, ID	N9895V	Incident	substantial	THE FAILURE OF A NOSE LANDING GEAR FORK, WHICH RESULTED IN THE PILOT'S LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND A NOSE-OVER AFTER AN EXCURSION FROM THE RUNWAY… THE FAILURE OF A NOSE LANDING GEAR FORK, WHICH RESULTED IN THE PILOT'S LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND A NOSE-OVER AFTER AN EXCURSION FROM THE RUNWAY.
Sep 07, 1990	PLYMOUTH, FL	N6600H	Incident	substantial	THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ARREST THE HIGH RATE OF DESCENT PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN.
Jun 30, 1990	EL CAJON, CA	N9313H	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO ABORT THE LANDING AFTER TOUCHDOWN PAST THE TOUCHDOWN ZONE.
May 14, 1990	GRANVILLE, NY	N80104	Incident	substantial	THE IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND COLLISION WITH A DITCH.
Mar 30, 1990	GROVELAND, CA	N13685	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT IMPROPERLY USED THE FLIGHT CONTROLS DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT.
Mar 25, 1990	COLORADO SPRING, CO	N19948	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S DECISION TO INITIATE FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER, AND HIS IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISON. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADV… THE PILOT'S DECISION TO INITIATE FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER, AND HIS IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISON. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND THE ACCUMULATION OF AIRFRAME ICE.
Mar 21, 1990	THREE FORKS, MT	N80830	Incident	substantial	PILOT'S MISJUDGED LANDING FLARE.
Jan 21, 1990	GOLIAD, TX	N9892Q	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO IDENTIFY AND CORRECT FOR CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS WHICH EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AND PRECIPITATED THE … THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO IDENTIFY AND CORRECT FOR CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS WHICH EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AND PRECIPITATED THE PRECAUTIONARY LANDING.
Jan 03, 1990	APPLE VALLEY, CA	N12963	Incident	substantial	THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT OF THE MOONEY TO STOP HIS AIRCRAFT IN A TIMELY MANNER TO AVOID A COLLISION.
Dec 25, 1989	SALEM, OR	N21543	Incident	substantial	THE PILOTS INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT WHILE TAXIING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT ARE: THE PILOT'S DIVERTED ATTENTION AND THE POLE.
Oct 14, 1989	CEDARBURG, WI	N1325U	Incident	substantial	DELAY OF THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (CFI) IN MAKING A GO-AROUND AND HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED TO CLIMB AFTER TAKING OFF AGAIN. THE TRANSMIS… DELAY OF THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (CFI) IN MAKING A GO-AROUND AND HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED TO CLIMB AFTER TAKING OFF AGAIN. THE TRANSMISSION WIRE (POWER LINE) AND HIGH VEGETATION WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.
Oct 01, 1989	BENNINGTON, VT	N20017	Incident	substantial	FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR(S) WAS: THE CROSSWIND.
Sep 02, 1989	BELLVILLE, TX	N13620	Incident	substantial	IMPROPER FLARE BY THE PILOT AND HIS IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT PORPOISE AND SUBSEQUENT NOSE GEAR FAILU… IMPROPER FLARE BY THE PILOT AND HIS IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT PORPOISE AND SUBSEQUENT NOSE GEAR FAILURE.
Aug 14, 1989	GRAND TURK ISL., TK	N12634	Incident	destroyed	Investigation pending
Jul 29, 1989	CARSON CITY, NV	N9598H	Incident	substantial	THE STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS, AND IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: T… THE STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS, AND IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WIND CONDITION AND THE STUDENT'S LACK OF TOTAL FLYING EXPERIENCE.
Jul 28, 1989	MARANA, AZ	N61552	Incident	substantial	INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE STUDENT PILOT, INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (CFI), AND FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO LACK OF FUEL. RELATED FA… INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE STUDENT PILOT, INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (CFI), AND FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO LACK OF FUEL. RELATED FACTORS WERE: INOPERATIVE LEFT FUEL QUANTITY GAGE, THE CFI'S DECISION TO MAKE THE FLIGHT WITH A KNOWN DEFICIENCY IN THE FUEL GAGE, AND OBSTRUCTIONS (TREE LIKE CACTUS) IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.
Jul 27, 1989	WIXOM, MI	N12662	Incident	substantial	CARBURETOR ICE DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: WEATHER CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR I… CARBURETOR ICE DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: WEATHER CONDITIONS CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICE, DARK NIGHT, AND TREE(S) IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.
Jul 10, 1989	PERRY, FL	N4427Q	Incident	substantial	FAILURE OF THE NUMBER THREE EXHAUST VALVE WHICH NECESSITATED A FORCED LANDING. THE TREES WERE CONSIDERED TO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.
Jul 03, 1989	BICKNELL, UT	N9560H	Incident	substantial	FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF AN UNS… FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF AN UNSUITABLE AREA (TERRAIN) TO LAND, UNFAVORABLE WIND, & OBJECTS (FENCE & IRRIGATION SPRINKLER).
Jun 20, 1989	BOULDER, CO	N80893	Incident	substantial	INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS BY THE (PRIVATE RATED) DUAL STUDENT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN AN … INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS BY THE (PRIVATE RATED) DUAL STUDENT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND SWERVE, AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT (CFI). A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITON.
Apr 14, 1989	PALMYRA, PA	N9946Q	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE AIRSPEED AND DISTANCE DURING THE LANDING.

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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