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 05, 1999	MIDLOTHIAN, TX	N8963V	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the powerlines. Factors were the low ceilings and the dusk light illumination.
Mar 24, 1999	NEW HUDSON, MI	N75BG	Incident	substantial	The pilot's misjudgment of speed and distance and his failure to execute a go-around. A related factor was the crosswind.
Mar 19, 1999	RENO, NV	N5242R	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and his failure to maintain runway alignment during the crosswind landing.
Feb 12, 1999	RUM CAY, BF	N61745	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Jan 05, 1999	MIDLOTHIAN, TX	N80253	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to compensate for a crosswind resulting in a loss of control. Factors were the gusty high winds and the flight instructor'… The student pilot's failure to compensate for a crosswind resulting in a loss of control. Factors were the gusty high winds and the flight instructor's improper decision to allow the student to solo during high winds.
Oct 25, 1998	CUMBERLAND, MD	N61648	Incident	substantial	The pilot's decision to land, instead of performing a go-around.
Sep 16, 1998	TETERBORO, NJ	N64453	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane. Factors in this accident were the night light conditions, and pilot's lack of recent night f… The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane. Factors in this accident were the night light conditions, and pilot's lack of recent night flight experience.
Sep 08, 1998	ENGLEWOOD, CO	N40SR	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Factors were the runway light and the terrain conditions.
Aug 01, 1998	LINCOLN, CA	N4451R	Incident	substantial	The pilot of the other aircraft's inadequate visual lookout
Jul 27, 1998	FRANKTOWN, CO	N5147N	Incident	substantial	Flight at an altitude insufficient to clear terrain. Factors were the pilot's failure to reset or correct a precessing directional gyro, his becoming… Flight at an altitude insufficient to clear terrain. Factors were the pilot's failure to reset or correct a precessing directional gyro, his becoming lost/disoriented, and dark night light conditions.
Jul 04, 1998	CHESTERFIELD, MO	N2XC	Incident	substantial	the pilot's not obtaining and maintaining directional control. A factor was wet terrain (grass).
May 07, 1998	ELKHART, IN	N8994V	Incident	substantial	the pilot's disorientation that led him to believe he was on the active runway. A factor was the pilot's inattentiveness.
May 03, 1998	OCEAN SHORES, WA	N1673V	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a light standard (utility pole) just off the edge of the parking ramp. Factors include a light standard… The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a light standard (utility pole) just off the edge of the parking ramp. Factors include a light standard placed near the edge of the parking ramp.
Apr 26, 1998	HENDERSON, NV	N64006	Incident	substantial	The pilot's decision to attempt a landing in crosswind conditions at or above the demonstrated capability of the aircraft, and his subsequent failure … The pilot's decision to attempt a landing in crosswind conditions at or above the demonstrated capability of the aircraft, and his subsequent failure to maintain proper runway alignment.
Apr 26, 1998	ANCHOR POINT, AK	N8969V	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to compensate for a crosswind. A related factor was the crosswind.
Apr 24, 1998	SUPERIOR, NE	N13834	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the sign. Factors associated with the accident were the sign which the airplane contacted and inadequa… the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the sign. Factors associated with the accident were the sign which the airplane contacted and inadequate preflight planning/preparation.
Mar 31, 1998	KINGSPORT, TN	N9233H	Incident	destroyed	The dual student's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall mush. Contributing to the accident were the flight instructor's in… The dual student's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall mush. Contributing to the accident were the flight instructor's inadequate supervision and the night conditions.
Feb 04, 1998	BULVERDE, TX	N13711	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain the proper glidepath following a total electrical failure resulting from an inoperative voltage regulator. Factors wer… The pilot's failure to maintain the proper glidepath following a total electrical failure resulting from an inoperative voltage regulator. Factors were the dark night conditions, the pilot's lack of experience in night flying, and the trees.
Jan 04, 1998	BLUE BELL, PA	N5135R	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point, and his failure to make a go-around, while there was sufficient runway remaining.
Nov 24, 1997	MESQUITE, TX	N80831	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, while landing. The gusty crosswi… the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, while landing. The gusty crosswind was a related factor.
Oct 30, 1997	SALISBURY, MD	N1487V	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing.
Oct 11, 1997	OCEANA, VA	N64507	Incident	substantial	Improper flare by the pilot, which resulted in a hard landing. A related factor was the diverted attention.
Sep 14, 1997	LONG BEACH, CA	N61913	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's misjudged landing flare which led to a balloon and subsequent hard landing.
Aug 31, 1997	LAWRENCEVILLE, GA	N9625V	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's improper go-around technique that resulted in an inadvertent stall. A factor was a premature flare for landing.
Aug 06, 1997	KEOKUK, IA	N13353	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a porpoise, failure (collapse) of the nose gear, and a subs… the pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a porpoise, failure (collapse) of the nose gear, and a subsequent nose over.

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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