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
Jan 26, 2007	Olathe, KS	N2621Z	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper flare during landing and failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Factors were the gusting winds and the … The pilot's improper flare during landing and failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Factors were the gusting winds and the crosswinds.
Dec 11, 2006	Laurel, MT	N6501V	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent nose over… The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent nose over. A contributing factor was the crosswind condition.
Dec 10, 2006	Northhampton, MA	N9421Z	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
Dec 08, 2006	Lake in the Hil, IL	N913MA	Incident	substantial	The directional control not maintained/obtained by the pilot, and the lack of recent experience by the pilot. The snow bank was a contributing factor… The directional control not maintained/obtained by the pilot, and the lack of recent experience by the pilot. The snow bank was a contributing factor.
Nov 20, 2006	San Diego, CA	N28RJ	Incident	substantial	An undetermined total electrical failure. The pilot's failure to extend the landing gear to the down and locked position was a factor.
Aug 29, 2006	Winder, GA	N856CP	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during an attempted go-around.
Jul 13, 2006	Waterford, MI	N918TA	Incident	substantial	The directional control not obtained/maintained, the inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and the go-around not performed during landing by th… The directional control not obtained/maintained, the inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and the go-around not performed during landing by the pilot. An additional cause was the lack of experience by the pilot. A contributing factor was the crosswind.
May 30, 2006	Kissimmee, FL	N498CR	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper flare.
Mar 21, 2006	Bridgeport, TX	N616SF	Incident	substantial	The flight instructor's delayed remedial action to regain control of the airplane while landing in a crosswind, and the inadvertent retraction of the … The flight instructor's delayed remedial action to regain control of the airplane while landing in a crosswind, and the inadvertent retraction of the landing gear by the pilot receiving instruction while executing a go-around. A factor was the prevailing crosswind.
Dec 23, 2005	Morris, IL	N723PG	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper in-flight decision to land with a quartering tailwind and not maintaining directional control. Factors were the quartering tailw… The pilot's improper in-flight decision to land with a quartering tailwind and not maintaining directional control. Factors were the quartering tailwind and the snowdrift.
Nov 18, 2005	Kissimmee, FL	N5182Z	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper flare and remedial action during landing resulting in an in-flight loss of control and subsequent collision with terrain. A rel… The pilot's improper flare and remedial action during landing resulting in an in-flight loss of control and subsequent collision with terrain. A related factor was the crosswind.
Nov 13, 2005	Ramona, CA	N23899	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing.
Oct 18, 2005	Bunnell, FL	N2621U	Incident	substantial	The pilot's misjudged distance/speed, and his delayed braking during landing, which resulted in the airplane overrunning the runway and impacting a di… The pilot's misjudged distance/speed, and his delayed braking during landing, which resulted in the airplane overrunning the runway and impacting a ditch.
Aug 21, 2005	Springtown, TX	N93AF	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper decision to shut down the engine. Contributing factors were the failure of the oil pressure switch and the lack of a suitable la… The pilot's improper decision to shut down the engine. Contributing factors were the failure of the oil pressure switch and the lack of a suitable landing area.
Aug 06, 2005	Fort Collins, CO	N5136R	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Contributing factors were the crosswind, the pilot's failure to compensate for the wind conditio… the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Contributing factors were the crosswind, the pilot's failure to compensate for the wind conditions --- allowing the airplane to touch down without being properly aligned with the runway --- and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the pilot.
Aug 02, 2005	Daytona Beach, FL	N864CP	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's improper flare and recovery from a bounced landing.
Jun 12, 2005	Santa Maria, CA	N2384L	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's improper flare and recovery from a bounced landing.
May 28, 2005	Fort Myers, FL	N416FR	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper landing flare which resulted in a hard landing.
May 28, 2005	Louisburg, NC	N22055	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall and subsequent loss of control and collision with the ground.
May 20, 2005	Daytona Beach, FL	N864CP	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's improper landing flare and the CFI's inadequate supervision resulting in a hard landing and damage to the airplane.
Apr 07, 2005	Kalamazoo, MI	N985BT	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and the excessive taxispeed.
Mar 10, 2005	Frederick, MD	N3513F	Incident	substantial	The inadequate visual lookout of the pilots in each airplane, which resulted in a ground collision.
Feb 01, 2005	Berrien Springs, MI	N9515B	Incident	substantial	The pilot not maintaining airspeed leading to an excessive sink rate during a simulated emergency landing after takeoff. An additional cause was the … The pilot not maintaining airspeed leading to an excessive sink rate during a simulated emergency landing after takeoff. An additional cause was the certified flight instructor's inadequate supervision.
Nov 21, 2004	Martinsburg, WV	N5294W	Incident	substantial	A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Nov 01, 2004	Kingman, AZ	N6140R	Incident	substantial	Landing gear extension system component failure resulting in a gear up landing.

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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