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
Mar 21, 2010	Connelsville, PA	N8921V	Incident	substantial	A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's failure to refuel.
Mar 15, 2010	Waupaca, WI	N1472U	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control while taking off in gusting winds.
Jan 19, 2010	Bethel, AK	N20109	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff.
Dec 24, 2009	Albion, ID	N1883V	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain while maneuvering in gusting winds.
Dec 06, 2009	Diamond Point, WA	N20186	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for the variable and unfavorable wind conditions.
Jul 18, 2009	New Braunfels, TX	N5556S	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
Jul 04, 2009	Princeton, NJ	N64178	Incident	substantial	The partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
May 30, 2009	Sarasota, FL	N12151	Incident	substantial	A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Apr 21, 2009	Corona, CA	N9504H	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper landing flare.
Feb 07, 2009	Le Roy, NY	N3554Q	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind during an aborted landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to land in gustin… The pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind during an aborted landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to land in gusting crosswinds in excess of the manufacturer's recommended crosswind limit.
Jan 22, 2009	Little Rock, AR	N20275	Incident	substantial	The loss of engine power due to the missing nut on the bolt connecting the throttle cable and carburetor's lever arm.
Nov 08, 2008	Girdwood, AK	N9099H	Incident	substantial	The pilot's decision to attempt to take off on a snow-covered runway. Contributing to the accident was the snow-covered runway.
Oct 26, 2008	Carroll, IA	N333AE	Incident	substantial	The improper preflight planning/decision made by the pilot in attempting a taxi in high wind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the winds.
Jul 20, 2008	Leavenworth, WA	N80849	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and failure to attain a sufficient airspeed to continue the takeoff. A contributing factor was the high den… The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and failure to attain a sufficient airspeed to continue the takeoff. A contributing factor was the high density altitude and short runway.
Jun 27, 2008	Skykomish, WA	N94HJ	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision and failure to execute a go-around when the airplane floated during the flare. Contributing to the… The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision and failure to execute a go-around when the airplane floated during the flare. Contributing to the accident was the short and wet turf runway surface, which reduced braking action.
Jun 24, 2008	San Diego, CA	N9629V	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a touch-and-go landing.
Jun 09, 2008	Byron, CA	N9328H	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout.
Jun 06, 2008	Byron, CA	N73403	Incident	substantial	The flight instructor's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, and his inadequate supervision of the student pilot. Factors contributing to … The flight instructor's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, and his inadequate supervision of the student pilot. Factors contributing to the accident were a sudden wind shift and wind gusts.
May 28, 2008	San Antonio, TX	N9144H	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an object while taxiing. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's diverted attention and a vehicl… The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an object while taxiing. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's diverted attention and a vehicle.
May 23, 2008	Savannah, GA	N73471	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control on landing touchdown with a crosswind.
May 09, 2008	Yurimaguas, PE	OB-1366	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
May 03, 2008	Dixie, ID	N20406	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the vegetation during takeoff.
Jan 12, 2008	Pine Bluffs, WY	N12606	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane. Contributing factors in this accident were the unfavorable wind and the snow bank.
Oct 28, 2007	Duluth, MN	N4366R	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during the landing approach. Contributing to the accident was the crosswind weather condition… The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during the landing approach. Contributing to the accident was the crosswind weather condition.
Oct 18, 2007	Rangeley, ME	N92737	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing flare/touchdown. A factor contributing to the accident was the pilot's diverted at… The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the landing flare/touchdown. A factor contributing to the accident was the pilot's diverted attention.

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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