Cessna 172C
Aircraft Manufacturer: Cessna
Model: 172C
About the Cessna 172C
On accident rate, the Cessna 172C records a higher accident rate than a minority of comparable types by safety percentile, where a higher percentile means a higher accident rate. Measured against the cohort of same type, engine class, and seat range, that reading places the 172C below most comparable types on accident rate. Across its FAA-registration exposure the model records about 2.5 accidents per 1,000 aircraft-years. Of the 19 recorded GA accidents for the 172C, 2 involved a fatality.
More than 300 Cessna 172C aircraft remain on the U.S. civil registry. By active count the 172C is the 66th-largest fleet in Cessna's lineup, and the model accounts for under 1% of Cessna's active registered fleet. About 40% of all U.S. registry records ever held for the 172C have since been deregistered.
Aircraft Details
| Manufacturer | Cessna |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Serial Number | 2072408 |
| Model | 172C |
| Category | Land |
| Aircraft Type | Fixed wing single engine |
| Cruise Speed | 105 MPH / 91 knots |
| Weight | Class 1 (Up to 12,499 lbs gross take off weight) |
| Engine Type | Reciprocating |
| Number of Engines | 1 engine |
| Number of Seats | 4 seats |
Share your captured photos of the Cessna 172C, receive attribution and a link. Safety Analysis
Composition of NTSB accident records for this model in general-aviation operations (FAR Part 91 and 137), based on NTSB data as of May 1, 2026. It's a breakdown of recorded accidents rather than a safety rating, and types with significant non-GA operation (such as Part 135) may be under-represented.
Accidents are identity-confirmed against FAA registration records (two independent sources).
18 exact, 1 recovered, 0 provisional
MethodologyTotal recorded general-aviation accidents within the analyzed period.
2 fatal accidents.
10.5% of recorded accidents were fatal.
Active aircraft fleet size contributing to the exposure data.
7,596
Aircraft-years of FAA registration exposure (2008–present).
Within its peer cohort
Within this model's peer class (same aircraft type, engine class, and seat range), comparison of its share of recorded NTSB accidents to its share of FAA registration exposure (aircraft-years since 2008).
This is a share comparison, not flight-hours adjusted, so a model flown more per airframe than its peers will show an accident share above its exposure share even if its per-hour safety is average. Methodology →
Accidents by year
Recorded NTSB general-aviation accidents per calendar year, derived directly from the NTSB accident database. Each bar shows the accidents that occurred in that year. Methodology →
Phase of flight
Which phase of flight each accident occurred in, as coded by the NTSB. Most accidents happen in the phases where most flying time is concentrated, so this isn't a measure of which phase is most dangerous.
Finding category
Top-level NTSB cause category, from the coded investigation findings. An accident often has more than one finding, so totals here can exceed the recorded accident count.
Injury severity
NTSB classification of the worst injury in each accident: None, Minor, Serious, or Fatal. Each accident counts in exactly one severity.
Operating-rule mix (all parts): 091 (19)
Recorded Accidents
All 19 recorded NTSB general-aviation accidents for this model, most recent first.
| Date | Location | Tail | Damage | Highest injury | Phase of flight | Finding categories |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argyle, NY | N1609Y | Substantial | None | Landing | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Weslaco, TX | N2037Y | Substantial | Minor | Landing | Personnel issues | |
| Elkwood, VA | N8400X | Substantial | None | Prior to flight | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Manassas, VA | N8337X | Substantial | Minor | Emergency descent | Aircraft, Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Wichita, KS | N1413Y | Substantial | None | Approach | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Pleasant Valley, NY | N8311X | Substantial | Minor | Approach | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Center, TX | N8487X | Substantial | Minor | Landing | Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues | |
| Silver City, NM | N1543Y | Substantial | Minor | Landing | Aircraft, Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| England, AR | N1889Y | Substantial | None | Emergency descent | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Algona, IA | N8856B | Substantial | None | Initial climb | Aircraft | |
| Cedar Key, FL | N1827Y | Substantial | Minor | Takeoff | Aircraft, Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Westmoreland, NY | N1863Y | Destroyed | Fatal | Takeoff | Aircraft, Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| New Enterprise, PA | N8404X | Substantial | None | Takeoff | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Venice, LA | N1805Y | Substantial | Minor | Landing | Aircraft, Environmental issues | |
| Kissimmee, FL | N8370X | Substantial | Serious | Prior to flight | Aircraft, Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Williamson, GA | N8452X | Substantial | Minor | Landing | Aircraft | |
| Fairbanks, AK | N1512Y | Substantial | Fatal | Initial climb | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Grants Pass, OR | N8287X | Substantial | None | Landing | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Nortonville, ND | N1437Y | Substantial | Minor | Enroute | Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues |