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, 2014	Alturas, CA	N6091R	Incident	substantial	The airplane’s failure to attain rotation speed during the takeoff roll for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did … The airplane’s failure to attain rotation speed during the takeoff roll for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s delayed decision to abort the takeoff with insufficient runway remaining to stop.
Apr 25, 2014	Llano, TX	N9373F	Incident	substantial	The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the engine did not reveal any evidence of preimpact fai… The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because examination of the engine did not reveal any evidence of preimpact failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
Apr 07, 2014	Daytona Beach, FL	N2630B	Incident	substantial	The inadvertent encounter with a microburst during taxi from landing that resulted in the aircraft being turned over inverted and receiving substantia… The inadvertent encounter with a microburst during taxi from landing that resulted in the aircraft being turned over inverted and receiving substantial damage.
Mar 05, 2014	Jackson, TN	N9417Z	Incident	substantial	A total loss of engine power due to maintenance personnel’s improper installation of the lower vacuum pump.
Feb 13, 2014	Ellsworth, KS	N816KS	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
Feb 03, 2014	Fort Pierce, FL	N828BM	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Oct 10, 2013	Tomball, TX	N999UF	Incident	substantial	The student pilot delay in aborting the takeoff which resulted in the airplane going off the end of the runway and impacting trees.
Sep 04, 2013	Council Bluff, IA	N368ES	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff.
Aug 08, 2013	Kent, WA	N4886V	Incident	substantial	Failure of the certified flight instructor and student pilot to complete the landing checklist resulting in a gear-up landing.
May 16, 2013	Abbeville, LA	N5219U	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to properly secure the airplane before hand starting the engine and the failure of the brass tie down hook.
Mar 30, 2013	Immokalee, FL	N410LR	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Jan 18, 2013	Redmond, OR	N6290V	Incident	substantial	Failure of the left main landing gear pivot assembly during the landing approach.
Nov 15, 2012	Lexington, KY	N9985B	Incident	substantial	The rupture of the landing gear’s hydraulic pressure hose, which resulted in the depletion of all of the hydraulic fluid, and the inability of the lan… The rupture of the landing gear’s hydraulic pressure hose, which resulted in the depletion of all of the hydraulic fluid, and the inability of the landing gear to raise or lower. Contributing to the accident was the installation of an unapproved hydraulic hose by unknown maintenance personnel.
Oct 20, 2012	Miami, FL	N974BC	Incident	substantial	The flight instructor's improper power management during a steep, obstacle-clearance approach, which resulted in a hard landing.
Oct 11, 2012	Mobile, AL	N4939V	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to perform the before landing checklist and extend the landing gear before touchdown. Contributing to the accident was the designa… The pilot’s failure to perform the before landing checklist and extend the landing gear before touchdown. Contributing to the accident was the designated pilot examiner’s inadequate remedial action.
Sep 11, 2012	Salina, KS	N824KS	Incident	substantial	The flight instructor's improper flare in gusty wind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing.
Aug 14, 2012	Everett, WA	N863CP	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
May 20, 2012	Crossville, TN	N456MB	Incident	substantial	The pilot's attempt to avoid a deer on the runway, which resulted in a runway excursion.
May 11, 2012	Immokalee, FL	N5253B	Incident	substantial	The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during a touch-and-go landing.
Apr 19, 2012	Richmond, KY	N28BC	Incident	substantial	A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s failure to supervise the student’s prefl… A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s failure to supervise the student’s preflight inspection, his inadequate fuel management and preflight and in-flight fuel planning, and the operator’s inadequate fueling policies and procedures.
Mar 24, 2012	Council Bluffs, IA	N368ES	Incident	substantial	The student pilot’s improper flare and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control.
Nov 08, 2011	Kissimmee, FL	N5095V	Incident	substantial	A fatigue failure of the right main landing gear pivot assembly, which prevented the landing gear from extending.
Sep 28, 2011	Napa, CA	N21284	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Sep 24, 2011	Houston, TX	N72566	Incident	substantial	The pilot of the other airplane’s failure to maintain visual contact while taxiing.
Sep 14, 2011	Naples, FL	N10632	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent loss of directional control.

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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