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
Jun 16, 2016	Lenoir, NC	N12184	Incident	substantial	The student pilot’s failure to compensate for gusting wind conditions during landing, which resulted in a bounced landing. Contributing to the acciden… The student pilot’s failure to compensate for gusting wind conditions during landing, which resulted in a bounced landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate review of the weather conditions with the student and his inadequate supervision of the student’s solo cross-country flight.
Nov 09, 2015	Miami, FL	N97277	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Oct 02, 2015	McMinnville, OR	N20488	Incident	substantial	The flight instructor's failure to correct the student pilot's approach path during the final approach, which resulted in a collision with runway thre… The flight instructor's failure to correct the student pilot's approach path during the final approach, which resulted in a collision with runway threshold lights. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's failure to attain and maintain the recommended approach path.
Sep 20, 2015	Shiocton, WI	N20079	Incident	substantial	The pilot's decision to continue to land at an unlighted airstrip, at night, after the landing light failed on approach, which resulted in a bounced l… The pilot's decision to continue to land at an unlighted airstrip, at night, after the landing light failed on approach, which resulted in a bounced landing, runway excursion, and collision with terrain.
Apr 24, 2015	Clearwater, FL	N1576V	Incident	substantial	The pilot's excessive airspeed during landing, which resulted in abnormal runway contact, a runway excursion, and substantial damage to the airplane.
Jan 05, 2015	Marquette, MI	N6591H	Incident	substantial	The pilot did not maintain directional control during takeoff on the snow and ice covered runway in gusting crosswind conditions.
Nov 24, 2014	Obyan, USA	N12915	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's loss of airplane control during the landing flare in gusting wind conditions.
Nov 03, 2014	Everglades City, FL	N696PT	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to compensate for gusting wind conditions during the flare, and the flight instructor's failure to intervene in a timely m… The student pilot's failure to compensate for gusting wind conditions during the flare, and the flight instructor's failure to intervene in a timely manner, resulting in a loss of airplane control and hard landing off of the runway.
Oct 24, 2014	Apopka, FL	N1533V	Incident	substantial	The student pilots improper landing flare which resulted in a hard landing and loss of aircraft control. Contributing to the accident was the flight i… The student pilots improper landing flare which resulted in a hard landing and loss of aircraft control. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's delayed remedial actions.
Sep 19, 2014	Leesburg, FL	N13394	Incident	substantial	The flight instructor’s delayed remedial action and his subsequent loss of directional control during landing on a wet runway for reasons that could n… The flight instructor’s delayed remedial action and his subsequent loss of directional control during landing on a wet runway for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies.
Sep 11, 2014	Oxford, WI	N3510Q	Incident	substantial	The pilot did not compensate for the decrease in the crosswind when he descended below the tree line during the landing.
Jul 22, 2014	Chatham, MA	N1066R	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, resulting in a runway excursion and collision with trees.
Jun 28, 2014	Holland, MI	N19992	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing resulting in a loss of directional control.
Jun 24, 2014	Miami, FL	N621AA	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to ensure the security of the seat prior to flight, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent hard landing.
Apr 01, 2014	Anacortes, WA	N19982	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper application of brakes during the landing roll resulted in a runway excursion and nose over.
Mar 23, 2014	Knoxville, TN	N8893V	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a collision with an obstacle.
Mar 14, 2014	Brooksville, FL	N80457	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to compensate for the reported crosswind conditions resulting in the wings contacting the ground.
Mar 07, 2014	Pittstown, NJ	N1319U	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing.
Feb 26, 2014	South Bend, IN	N9801V	Incident	substantial	The pilot involved and the phase of flight when the damage was incurred were not determined.
Feb 25, 2014	Ramona, CA	N91712	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's inadequate flare and failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision wi… The student pilot's inadequate flare and failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with terrain.
Dec 23, 2013	Fullerton, CA	N80238	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing.
Dec 15, 2013	Bethel, AK	N20109	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s decision to abort the takeoff with insufficient runway remaining, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Jun 19, 2013	Burlington, VT	N61947	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper turn down an airport access road while attempting to taxi to a runway. Contributing to the accident was the airport management's … The pilot's improper turn down an airport access road while attempting to taxi to a runway. Contributing to the accident was the airport management's failure to install proper signage indicating that an airport access road was prohibited to aircraft.
May 23, 2013	Truckee, CA	N8879V	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll which resulted in a collision with a tree.
May 09, 2013	Thief River Falls, MN	N1820V	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the power line while on approach to 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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