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 19, 2002	Telluride, CO	N9089H	Incident	substantial	the pilot not maintaining proper aircraft control resulting in a hard landing. Factors contributing to this accident were the high airspeed, the porp… the pilot not maintaining proper aircraft control resulting in a hard landing. Factors contributing to this accident were the high airspeed, the porpoise encountered during the landing, and the pilot's delayed remedial action resulting in the damage to the airplane.
Jun 15, 2002	Saint Johns, AZ	N64307	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions resulting in a loss of directional control and collision with terrain. Related factors were t… the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions resulting in a loss of directional control and collision with terrain. Related factors were the wind gusts, crosswind and soft terrain.
Jun 15, 2002	Kirbyville, TX	N21799	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point. A contributing factor was the loose gravel.
Mar 24, 2002	Avalon, CA	N61737	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate bounced landing recovery technique, which resulted in an inadvertent porpoise.
Mar 10, 2002	Tucson, AZ	N4410R	Incident	substantial	the pilot's misjudged landing flare and improper bounced landing recovery.
Mar 07, 2002	Kissimmee, FL	N1446V	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain the proper clearance while taxing the airplane which resulted in the left wing tip colliding with an object and damage… The pilot's failure to maintain the proper clearance while taxing the airplane which resulted in the left wing tip colliding with an object and damage to the airplane. A related factor was night conditions.
Jan 13, 2002	Sanford, NC	N9334H	Incident	substantial	The pilots failure to maintain directional control during landing roll that resulted in a collision with an airport sign. Factors were wet runway sur… The pilots failure to maintain directional control during landing roll that resulted in a collision with an airport sign. Factors were wet runway surface and wind gust.
Dec 08, 2001	Ravenna, OH	N12521	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control.
Nov 20, 2001	Crystal River, FL	N1385U	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to keep a proper visual lookout and ensure proper clearance during taxi operations, which resulted in a collision with vehicles.
Nov 13, 2001	CHANDLER, AZ	N1897V	Incident	substantial	Failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control during landing.
Oct 29, 2001	Prescott, AZ	N13514	Incident	substantial	The CFI's improper remedial action and failure to maintain directional control during landing in a strong crosswind condition.
Sep 08, 2001	Seattle, WA	N20675	Incident	substantial	Pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout during taxi. A fence was a factor.
Aug 26, 2001	Danbury, CT	N9869Q	Incident	substantial	An inoperative airspeed indicator and the pilot's improper recovery from the bounced landing.
Aug 05, 2001	Milton, WI	N13715	Incident	substantial	The unsuitable terrain for landing encountered by the pilot. Factors were the high vegetation and the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Jul 18, 2001	Atlantic Ocean, AO	N13237	Incident	substantial	The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Jun 27, 2001	Bozeman, MT	N80830	Incident	substantial	The pilot of another aircraft failed to maintain clearance while maneuvering for a formation flight. An updraft was a factor.
Jun 25, 2001	Napa, CA	N1409V	Incident	substantial	Loss of engine power due to the restricted movement of the number 1 exhaust valve that subsequently bent the exhaust push rod and push rod housing.
Jun 12, 2001	Bennettsville, SC	N12483	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper correction for wind conditions and his failure to maintain control of the airplane resulting in the airplane sliding off an emban… The pilot's improper correction for wind conditions and his failure to maintain control of the airplane resulting in the airplane sliding off an embankment during taxi from landing.
Jun 09, 2001	Middleton, WI	N191WW	Incident	substantial	The pilot attempted a touch and go on unsuitable terrain. A factor associated with the accident was the tall wet grass airstrip on which the touch an… The pilot attempted a touch and go on unsuitable terrain. A factor associated with the accident was the tall wet grass airstrip on which the touch and go was attempted.
Jun 08, 2001	Hot Springs, AR	N5394H	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's delayed go-around, which resulted in the airplane impacting trees during the aborted landing.
Jun 08, 2001	Miami, FL	N64429	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a go-around resulting in the airplane stalling, descending uncontrolled, impacting the runway, and sli… The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a go-around resulting in the airplane stalling, descending uncontrolled, impacting the runway, and sliding off the runway and nosing over.
Jun 07, 2001	Nashua, NH	N6863H	Incident	substantial	The CFI's improper decision to abort the takeoff and his improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Jun 01, 2001	Pingree, ID	CFDGH	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate in-flight decision by failing to refuel while en route, resulting in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power.
May 09, 2001	West Chicago, IL	N13474	Incident	substantial	The inadequate compensation for the crosswind by the student pilot. Additional factors included the student pilot's lack of total flight time, the r… The inadequate compensation for the crosswind by the student pilot. Additional factors included the student pilot's lack of total flight time, the runway sign and the crosswind.
May 04, 2001	Patterson, LA	N5247R	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain control during the go-around. A contributing factor was the wind gust.

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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