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
Jun 19, 1991	HAWLEY, MN	N9431D	Incident	substantial	INATTENTIVENESS OF BOTH THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND THE STUDENT PILOT, AND FAILURE TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT IS THE UNSU… INATTENTIVENESS OF BOTH THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND THE STUDENT PILOT, AND FAILURE TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT IS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED DURING THE FORCED LANDING.
Apr 02, 1991	WEST CHICAGO, IL	N9592B	Incident	minor	FAILURE OF THE SPLINED SHAFT ON THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR PIVOT ASSEMBLY. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE INCIDENT WAS INADEQUATE DESIGN OF THE LANDING GEA… FAILURE OF THE SPLINED SHAFT ON THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR PIVOT ASSEMBLY. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE INCIDENT WAS INADEQUATE DESIGN OF THE LANDING GEAR PIVOT ASSEMBLY.
Sep 17, 1990	OZARK, AL	N6411V	Incident	substantial	INADEQUATE ENGINE OVERHAUL PROCEDURES WHICH ALLOWED THE INSTALLATION OF THE ENGINE PLUG WITHOUT SAFETY WIRE TO HOLD IT IN PLACE, AND WHICH RESULTED IN… INADEQUATE ENGINE OVERHAUL PROCEDURES WHICH ALLOWED THE INSTALLATION OF THE ENGINE PLUG WITHOUT SAFETY WIRE TO HOLD IT IN PLACE, AND WHICH RESULTED IN OIL STARVATION OF THE ENGINE.
Jul 06, 1990	CONCORD, CA	N5388R	Incident	substantial	THE STUDENT PILOT'S INITIATING AN EXCESSIVE DESCENT AND THE CFI'S INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION.
May 26, 1990	ALBUQUERQUE, NM	N6498R	Incident	substantial	THE CFI'S IMPROPER PROCEDURES DURING TAKEOFF. FACTORS WERE PREMATURE LIFTOFF AND INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH.
Apr 13, 1990	ROMEOVILLE, IL	N9694B	Incident	substantial	THE FAILURE OF THE INSTRUCTOR TO CORRECT A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING A LANDING ROLL IN A TIMELY MANNER.
Jan 05, 1990	ASTATULA, FL	N6290R	Incident	substantial	LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON DURING A SIMULATED FORCED LANDING.
Dec 18, 1989	ROMEOVILLE, IL	N9562B	Incident	substantial	DUAL STUDENT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND REMEDIAL ACTION NOT ATTAINED BY THE CFI. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: A SNOW B… DUAL STUDENT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND REMEDIAL ACTION NOT ATTAINED BY THE CFI. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: A SNOW BANK ADJACENT THE RUNWAY.
Apr 10, 1989	MIAMISBURG, OH	N9688B	Incident	substantial	INTERMITTANT GROUNDING OF AN ELECTRICAL WIRE TO THE NOSE LANDING GEAR. THE CHAFED WIRE RESULTED IN THE OPENING OF THE LANDING GEAR MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAK… INTERMITTANT GROUNDING OF AN ELECTRICAL WIRE TO THE NOSE LANDING GEAR. THE CHAFED WIRE RESULTED IN THE OPENING OF THE LANDING GEAR MOTOR CIRCUIT BREAKER PREVENTING FULL EXTENSION OF THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR. A SECONDARY FAILURE OF THE THROTTLE WARNING SWITCH PRECLUDED A VISUAL OR AURAL WARNING OF THE UNSAFE GEAR POSITION.
Feb 20, 1989	DURHAMVILLE, NY	N9530B	Incident	substantial	FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR BEFORE LANDING AFTER ALLOWING HIS ATTENTION TO BE DIVERTED.
Feb 06, 1989	MAYVILLE, ND	N9459D	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AFTER TOUCHDOWN ON AN ICY RUNWAY. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS IMPROPER ALIGNMENT WITH THE… THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AFTER TOUCHDOWN ON AN ICY RUNWAY. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS IMPROPER ALIGNMENT WITH THE RUNWAY FOR TOUCHDOWN.
Jan 21, 1989	LARIMORE, ND	N9439B	Incident	substantial	INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO ATTAIN A PROPER TOUCHDOWN POI… INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO ATTAIN A PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT, HIS DELAY IN CONFIGURING THE AIRCRAFT & EXECUTING THE GO-AROUND, ICY/SNOWY RUNWAY CONDITIONS, AND THE SNOWBANK.
Nov 06, 1988	ROBBINSVILLE, NJ	N9307D	Incident	substantial	FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ADEQUATELY CORRECT FOR THE CROSSWIND AND MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING A CROSSWIND LANDING.
Aug 14, 1988	MT. VERNON, OH	N9769B	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
May 14, 1988	MATHEW, VA	N6449R	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
May 14, 1988	WEST CHESTER, PA	N9638B	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Mar 27, 1988	MALIBU, CA	N9609B	Incident	destroyed	Investigation pending
Sep 20, 1987	PINCKNEYVILLE, IL	N9543B	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Jul 28, 1987	ASPEN, CO	N4709R	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Aug 19, 1986	KOTLIK, AK	N4856V	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
May 24, 1986	JACKSON, MS	N4596V	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Dec 28, 1985	LAS VEGAS, NM	N4849V	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Dec 03, 1985	EAST LIVERPOOL, OH	N6208V	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Sep 21, 1985	MINERAL WELLS, TX	N6290R	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Aug 17, 1985	LEE'S SUMMIT, MO	N4772R	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending

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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