How many accidents has the Cessna 172RG had?

The NTSB has recorded 241 events involving the Cessna 172RG: 44 fatal, 16 serious, 23 minor injuries, and 157 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Cessna 172RG a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Cessna 172RG has 241 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Cessna 172RG Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 241 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.

241

All Events

157

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (85 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
May 28, 1999	SANFORD, FL	N9561B	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
May 23, 1999	MORRISTOWN, NJ	N9475B	Incident	substantial	The right main landing gear collapsed for undetermined reasons.
Mar 29, 1999	MOORPARK, CA	N9451D	Incident	substantial	The failure and separation of the number two cylinder for undetermined reasons. A factor was the soft terrain at the forced landing site.
Feb 15, 1999	LAWRENCEVILLE, IL	N9506D	Incident	substantial	the fatigue fracture of the landing gear actuator.
Jun 16, 1998	SAN MANUEL, AZ	N519PU	Incident	substantial	The failure of the certified flight instructor to maintain directional control while landing with a sudden windshift.
May 17, 1998	ROBERTA, GA	N6562V	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compliance with the emergency procedures for his failure to completely pump the main landing gear into the down and locked posi… The pilot's inadequate compliance with the emergency procedures for his failure to completely pump the main landing gear into the down and locked position. Contributing to the accident was the reported loss of electrical power for undetermined reasons.
Apr 26, 1998	GREENVILLE, SC	N9769B	Incident	substantial	The pilot's use of full flaps while landing in a strong crosswind resulting in loss of directional control during the landing roll.
Dec 30, 1997	VAN NUYS, CA	N5404V	Incident	substantial	The student and flight instructor's failure to verify that the landing gear was in the down position, and the design of the electrical system in which… The student and flight instructor's failure to verify that the landing gear was in the down position, and the design of the electrical system in which a single-point aircraft system malfunction (one open circuit breaker) disabled both the landing gear warning system and the main gear downlock switches.
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.

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 172RG Safety Record

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