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 13, 2021	Groton, CT	N430EP	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing, resulting in a runway excursion and collision with an airport sign… The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing, resulting in a runway excursion and collision with an airport sign.
May 08, 2021	Miami, FL	N9795B	Incident	substantial	The collapse of the left main landing gear for reasons that could not be determined.
Jan 28, 2021	Lawrenceville, GA	N997MC	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing in a gusting crosswind, which resulted in a loss of control and runway excursion.
Sep 21, 2020	Lafayette, IN	N6330V	Incident	substantial	The separation failure of a landing gear system hydraulic line and its compression fitting during cruise flight, which resulted in a partial gear up l… The separation failure of a landing gear system hydraulic line and its compression fitting during cruise flight, which resulted in a partial gear up landing.
Jul 16, 2019	Ocean City, MD	N9715B	Incident	substantial	A partial loss of power due to the liberation or failure of the No. 2 cylinder's exhaust valve.
Feb 13, 2019	Atlanta, GA	N5223V	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear before landing. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s inability to see the landing gear positio… The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear before landing. Contributing to the accident were the pilot’s inability to see the landing gear position light because his iPad was blocking his view of it and his feeling of being rushed during the approach and landing.
Jan 21, 2018	Martinsburg, WV	N9415B	Incident	substantial	A hydraulic leak in the right main landing gear actuator, which resulted in the main landing gear not extending.
Dec 02, 2017	Huntingdon, TN	N9730F	Incident	substantial	A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because a postaccident engine examination and testing revealed no preimpact mech… A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because a postaccident engine examination and testing revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Nov 16, 2017	Opa Locka, FL	N6102R	Incident	substantial	A failure of the airplane 's electrical system, which led to the failure of the landing gear system, for reasons that could not be determined because … A failure of the airplane 's electrical system, which led to the failure of the landing gear system, for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination and testing revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Contributing to the accident were the inoperative landing gear unsafe warning horn and the low voltage warning light.
Nov 02, 2017	Redding, CA	N2103T	Incident	substantial	The fatigue separation of the crankshaft due to a fatigue fracture, which resulted in a total loss of engine power and a subsequent off-airport landin… The fatigue separation of the crankshaft due to a fatigue fracture, which resulted in a total loss of engine power and a subsequent off-airport landing and impact with a fence.
Oct 15, 2017	Auburn, WA	N5159U	Incident	substantial	The failure of the right main landing gear for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that… The failure of the right main landing gear for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Aug 21, 2017	Balchik, BU	LZ-SPD	Incident	minor	Investigation pending
Jun 20, 2017	El Cajon, CA	N5424V	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear with sufficient time to allow the landing gear to fully extend and the flight instructor's failure to v… The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear with sufficient time to allow the landing gear to fully extend and the flight instructor's failure to visually check to see if the right main landing gear were extended.
Mar 20, 2017	Greeley, CO	N6402V	Incident	minor	Failure of the left main landing gear actuator assembly, which resulted in an inability to extend the left main landing gear.
Jul 01, 2016	Manhattan, KS	N5100V	Incident	substantial	The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction's omission to use an appropriate checklist and extend the landing gear prior to landing, which r… The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction's omission to use an appropriate checklist and extend the landing gear prior to landing, which resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft's fuselage and bulkhead.
Jun 30, 2016	Stamford, TX	N9318B	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a hangar during taxi for departure.
May 13, 2016	Las Vegas, NV	N6281V	Incident	substantial	The pilot's loss of directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Jan 05, 2016	Sulfur Springs, TX	N72AF	Incident	substantial	The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing.
Dec 29, 2015	Cascais, PO	G-CHZI	Incident	minor	Investigation pending
Nov 16, 2015	Westminster, MD	N26499	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing, which resulted in a hard landing.
Jul 23, 2015	North Vernon, IN	N133VU	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing touchdown, resulting in a hard landing.
Jul 17, 2015	Anoka, MN	N6511V	Incident	substantial	Failure of the left landing gear actuator for reasons that could not be determined because the actuator was not made available for examination.
Jun 06, 2015	Addison, TX	N178AF	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing touchdown, resulting in a hard landing.
May 28, 2015	Beaver Falls, PA	N984WU	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain airplane attitude control during the landing, resulting in a hard landing.
Jul 01, 2014	Joplin, MO	N468CM	Incident	substantial	The partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because an operational test run of the engine did not reveal any anomalies t… The partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because an operational test run of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

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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