How many accidents has the Cessna 172R had?

The NTSB has recorded 422 events involving the Cessna 172R: 64 fatal, 21 serious, 35 minor injuries, and 299 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Cessna 172R a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Cessna 172R has 422 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Cessna 172R Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 422 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.

422

All Events

299

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (118 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Nov 12, 1997	SAN DIEGO, CA	N9451D	Incident	substantial	Overload of the main gear actuator piston and the subsequent collapse of the landing gear.
Sep 23, 1997	MONROE, WA	N64ML	Incident	substantial	The failure of the flight instructor to adequately perform remedial action, and her failure to abort the takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident… The failure of the flight instructor to adequately perform remedial action, and her failure to abort the takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident include the premature rotation of the airplane by the dual student, the failure of the dual student to maintain adequate airspeed and directional control during the takeoff, and a congested runway area.
Aug 21, 1997	LANCASTER, CA	N9710B	Incident	substantial	Improper flare.
Jun 22, 1997	CHICAGO, IL	N6280R	Incident	substantial	the pilot inadvertently executed a wheels up landing.
Jan 28, 1997	CORONA, CA	N80138	Incident	substantial	Failure of the pilot in command to follow the airplane's before landing checklist and verify the landing gear was fully extended before landing. Fact… Failure of the pilot in command to follow the airplane's before landing checklist and verify the landing gear was fully extended before landing. Factors in the accident were anxiety and diversion of the pilot's attention due to fuel gauge readings.
Nov 01, 1996	TULSA, OK	N9520B	Incident	substantial	The failure of the main landing gear pivot gear assembly.
Sep 17, 1996	AURORA, IL	N966LA	Incident	substantial	undetermined.
Oct 21, 1995	CHESTER, CT	N9412B	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to attain adequate airspeed, and his delay in aborting the takeoff, which resulted in a runway overrun and collision with trees. … The pilot's failure to attain adequate airspeed, and his delay in aborting the takeoff, which resulted in a runway overrun and collision with trees. Factors relating to the accident were: the wet runway and hydroplaning conditions.
Sep 29, 1995	PITTSBURGH, PA	N9497B	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point and excessive airspeed which resulted in an overrun and a subsequent collision with a trailer… the pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point and excessive airspeed which resulted in an overrun and a subsequent collision with a trailer off the departure end of the runway.
Jun 29, 1995	WESTON, TX	N9502D	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT RECEIVING INSTRUCTION'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE WITH POWER LINES WHILE MANEUVERING AT LOW ALTITUDE AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S INADEQU… THE PILOT RECEIVING INSTRUCTION'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE WITH POWER LINES WHILE MANEUVERING AT LOW ALTITUDE AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION. A FACTOR WAS THE INSTRUCTOR'S DECISION TO ALLOW THE SIMULATION TO CONTINUE TO SUCH A LOW ALTITUDE.
Feb 17, 1995	PLANO, TX	N5096U	Incident	substantial	THE DISENGAGEMENT OF THE CRANKSHAFT GEAR DUE TO THE LOOSENING OF THE GEAR RETAINING BOLT AND THE SUBSEQUENT FRACTURE OF THE GEAR ALIGNMENT DOWEL. A FA… THE DISENGAGEMENT OF THE CRANKSHAFT GEAR DUE TO THE LOOSENING OF THE GEAR RETAINING BOLT AND THE SUBSEQUENT FRACTURE OF THE GEAR ALIGNMENT DOWEL. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN AVAILABLE FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
Sep 13, 1994	WEST CHICAGO, IL	N616SF	Incident	substantial	the pilot-in-command (CFI)'s inadequate supervision. Factors were the abrupt flare by the dual student.
Mar 28, 1994	PARKLAND, FL	N9786B	Incident	substantial	IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, AND FAILURE OF THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT TO TAKE ADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION. A FACTOR RELATED TO T… IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, AND FAILURE OF THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT TO TAKE ADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE SOFT/WET RUNWAY CONDITION.
Mar 26, 1994	BOCA RATON, FL	N9781B	Incident	substantial	The failure of the aircraft operator to comply with engine manufacturers service bulletins which resulted in improper inspection of exhaust valves and… The failure of the aircraft operator to comply with engine manufacturers service bulletins which resulted in improper inspection of exhaust valves and subsequent sticking of the no. 4 exhaust valve.
Feb 27, 1994	FRANKFORT, MI	N4871V	Incident	substantial	THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE SNOW COVERED RUNWAY WAS A FACTOR.
Oct 05, 1993	CORVALLIS, OR	N16ED	Incident	substantial	THE CFI'S INADEQUATE IN-FLIGHT PLANNING, AND HIS INADVERTENT GEAR-UP LANDING. FACTORS INCLUDE THE CFI'S DIVERTED ATTENTION.
May 20, 1993	FORT LAUDERDALE, FL	N5338V	Incident	substantial	THE FAILURE OF THE LEFT MAIN GEAR PIVOT ASSEMBLY, RESULTING IN THE COLLAPSE OF THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT.
Feb 10, 1993	WHITE PLAINS, NY	N6433V	Incident	substantial	THE COLLAPSE OF THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON.
Oct 15, 1992	CLARKSVILLE, TN	N9797B	Incident	substantial	THE FRACTURE OF THE SECTION GEAR IN THE MAIN LANDING GEAR RETRACTION AND EXTENSION MECHANISM.
Sep 16, 1992	CASA GRANDE, AZ	N519PU	Incident	substantial	THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.
Sep 05, 1992	WHEELING, IL	N9578B	Incident	substantial	MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSE AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE OF A LANDING GEAR HYDRAULIC PUMP SEAL.
May 21, 1992	DEKALB, IL	N6510V	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT NOT MAINTAINING A PROPER GLIDEPATH TO THE LANDING RUNWAY.
Apr 28, 1992	ELBERT, CO	N5282V	Incident	substantial	FAILURE OF THE CRANKSHAFT LEFT ACCESSORY GEAR WHICH RESULTED IN A COMPLETE POWER LOSS. A FACTOR WAS: LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.
Feb 04, 1992	WACO, TX	N9754B	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FULLY EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR BY THE ALTERNATE GEAR EXTENTION SYSTEM. FACTORS WERE THE DARK NIGHT, LOW CEILING, FOG, DRIZZLE AN… THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FULLY EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR BY THE ALTERNATE GEAR EXTENTION SYSTEM. FACTORS WERE THE DARK NIGHT, LOW CEILING, FOG, DRIZZLE AND FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Dec 05, 1991	BROOMFIELD, CO	N9320D	Incident	minor	FAILURE OF THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR PIVOT ASSEMBLY DUE TO DUCTILE TORSIONAL OVERSTRESS.

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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Cessna 172R Safety Record

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