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
May 18, 2005	Tucson, AZ	N9017H	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's improper flare that induced a porpoise, which resulted in the overload failure of the nose wheel assembly.
Feb 03, 2005	Desert Center, CA	N472RA	Incident	substantial	The instructor's improper decision to land on the dry lakebed without knowing the condition of the landing surface. A factor in the accident was the … The instructor's improper decision to land on the dry lakebed without knowing the condition of the landing surface. A factor in the accident was the soft sand surface of the lake bed.
Oct 09, 2004	Eliot, ME	N80657	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning decision, which resulted a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Sep 10, 2004	Medina, OH	N172WW	Incident	substantial	The partial loss of engine power due to inadequate maintenance and by failure to comply with service instruction for low engine compression.
Jul 14, 2004	Aniak, AK	N1453V	Incident	minor	The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power.
Jul 01, 2004	Winston Salem, NC	N71409	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the fence post, while taxing which resulted in a collision.
May 29, 2004	Vernonia, OR	N5440H	Incident	substantial	The instructor pilot's misjudgment of speed and distance and his failure to execute a go-around resulting in an overrun of the runway.
Mar 14, 2004	Eltopia, WA	N1883V	Incident	substantial	Remedial action delayed during the takeoff roll. Factors include rough/uneven terrain.
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.
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.
Sep 14, 2003	Tucson, AZ	N73179	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper flare. A contributing factor was the tailwind.
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.
May 27, 2003	Midland, MI	N61635	Incident	substantial	The pilot misjugded the flare and his improper recovery from a bounced landing.
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.
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.
Dec 03, 2002	Vici, OK	N4470R	Incident	substantial	The pilot's departure and continued flight into adverse weather conditions. Contributing factors were the icing conditions, and the lack of suitable … The pilot's departure and continued flight into adverse weather conditions. Contributing factors were the icing conditions, and the lack of suitable terrain for the precautionary landing.
Nov 16, 2002	Rosamond, CA	N548RM	Incident	substantial	The fatigue failure of left main landing gear strut at the upper fuselage aft attachment hole, which resulted in the collapse of the left main landing… The fatigue failure of left main landing gear strut at the upper fuselage aft attachment hole, which resulted in the collapse of the left main landing gear during the landing roll.
Nov 05, 2002	Mesquite, NV	N13265	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. A contributing factor was the ditch.
Aug 09, 2002	Enterprise, AL	N73461	Incident	substantial	The pilot's delayed flare on landing that resulted in a hard landing.
Aug 07, 2002	MOUNT POCONO, PA	N1727V	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Aug 05, 2002	Dahlonega, GA	N8954V	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and failure to maintain directional control resulting in the airplane going off the left side of … The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing and failure to maintain directional control resulting in the airplane going off the left side of the runway and colliding with a ditch.
Jun 29, 2002	Hite, UT	N725EC	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper in-flight planning resulting in fuel exhaustion. A factor relating to the accident was the unsuitable terrain encountered during… the pilot's improper in-flight planning resulting in fuel exhaustion. A factor relating to the accident was the unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing attempt.

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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