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
Apr 29, 2001	Eveleth, MN	N12891	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions which resulted in the loss of aircraft control. Factors associated with the accident… The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions which resulted in the loss of aircraft control. Factors associated with the accident were the gusty crosswind condition, the pilot's lack of experience, and the trees which were contacted.
Apr 01, 2001	N. Las Vegas, NV	N9572H	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind condition, and his failure to maintain runway alignment.
Dec 29, 2000	Farmville, VA	N73404	Incident	substantial	the failure of the pilot to maintain directional control.
Dec 19, 2000	STURGIS, SD	N13584	Incident	substantial	The pilot failed to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff and he discontinued an aborted takeoff once initiated. Factors associated with th… The pilot failed to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff and he discontinued an aborted takeoff once initiated. Factors associated with the accident were the inaccurate elevator trim indicator, the pilot's failure to verify the trim setting, rotation was restricted, directional control was not maintained, and the berm which the airplane contacted.
Dec 19, 2000	MEDFORD, NJ	N789FW	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point. Factors included the loss of electrical power, the dark night, and the pilot's lack of nigh… The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point. Factors included the loss of electrical power, the dark night, and the pilot's lack of night experience.
Oct 19, 2000	CAMP SPRINGS, MD	N950ME	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper in-flight decision to operate close behind a large airplane at the same altitude, which resulted in a wake turbulence encounter.
Aug 17, 2000	HARBOR SPRINGS, MI	N80310	Incident	substantial	the pilot's long touchdown, and inadequate braking to stop on the runway. Factors relating to this accident were the pilot's improper in-flight plann… the pilot's long touchdown, and inadequate braking to stop on the runway. Factors relating to this accident were the pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision resulting in the long touchdown, and the fence.
Jul 27, 2000	OAKLAND, CA	N4312R	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper landing flare.
Jun 22, 2000	WALLACE, ID	N9895V	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed and his failure to maintain clearance from the trees. Related factors were trees and mountainous terrain.
Jun 18, 2000	DECATUR, IL	N6557H	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the T-hangar while taxiing. A Factor associated with the accident was the pilot's attention was divert… the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the T-hangar while taxiing. A Factor associated with the accident was the pilot's attention was diverted to an other airplane which was taxiing on the same taxi line in the opposite direction.
Jun 08, 2000	DAVIS, NC	N4422Q	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind. The crosswind was a contributing factor.
Apr 30, 2000	CLINTON, TN	N13330	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning necessitating an intentional ground loop maneuver on landing. Contributing factors were the pilot's misjudg… The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning necessitating an intentional ground loop maneuver on landing. Contributing factors were the pilot's misjudgment of distance/airspeed, the high terrain surrounding the runway, and the tailwind condition.
Mar 18, 2000	SACRAMENTO, CA	N80205	Incident	substantial	The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the takeoff roll. A rough, uneven runway surface was a factor in the … The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the takeoff roll. A rough, uneven runway surface was a factor in the accident.
Feb 15, 2000	PARKERTOWN, OH	N1742V	Incident	substantial	The inadequate visual lookout by the pilots of both airplanes.
Jan 23, 2000	SQUAMISH, CA	N1673V	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Dec 09, 1999	AVA, MO	N69LM	Incident	substantial	the improper in-flight decision made by the pilot. Factors to the accident were the charts/other manuals depicting the incorrect frequency, the dirt … the improper in-flight decision made by the pilot. Factors to the accident were the charts/other manuals depicting the incorrect frequency, the dirt bank, and the rocks.
Oct 28, 1999	MACKAY, ID	N12376	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to land at the proper touchdown point. Factors include a wind gust, a grass runway, and a drop-off into rough terrain at the end o… The pilot's failure to land at the proper touchdown point. Factors include a wind gust, a grass runway, and a drop-off into rough terrain at the end of the runway.
Sep 11, 1999	TAHOLA, WA	N8995V	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate directional control and his failure to maintain clearance from trees along the side of the landing area. Factors include a land… The pilot's inadequate directional control and his failure to maintain clearance from trees along the side of the landing area. Factors include a landing area surrounded by tall trees.
Aug 26, 1999	BLOOMINGTON, IL	N61612	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate visual lookout and not performing a maneuver to avoid obstructions. A factor was the road signs.
Jul 30, 1999	PIERSON, FL	N9880V	Incident	substantial	the flight instructor's (pilot in command) failure to achieve the proper touch down point, his improper decision to continue the touch and go, and fa… the flight instructor's (pilot in command) failure to achieve the proper touch down point, his improper decision to continue the touch and go, and failure to abort the takeoff in sufficient time, resulting in the aircraft overrunning the runway and colliding with trees.
Jul 10, 1999	FRESNO, CA	N73113	Incident	substantial	The pilot's misjudged landing flare and inadequate recovery procedures from the subsequent bounced landing.
May 16, 1999	OMAK, WA	N73040	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to properly secure the aircraft before hand-propping.
May 16, 1999	DOUBLE SPRINGS, AL	N20417	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING LANDING. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE.
Apr 26, 1999	MAYVIEW, MO	N220NY	Incident	substantial	the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for the attempted precautionary landing. Factors to the accident were the overcast weather condition, ina… the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for the attempted precautionary landing. Factors to the accident were the overcast weather condition, inadequate preflight planning by the pilot, the inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and the presence of the fence posts and pole in the selected landing area.
Apr 17, 1999	LUMBERTON, NJ	N12469	Incident	substantial	The pilot's misjudgment of altitude and distance which resulted in a runway overrun.

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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