Cessna 172D
Aircraft Manufacturer: Cessna
Model: 172D
About the Cessna 172D
The Cessna 172D carries 22 recorded accidents over its FAA-registration exposure, which works out to about 2.3 accidents per 1,000 aircraft-years for the type. Set against a cohort matched on type, engine class, and seat range, the 172D lands at about one in ten on the safety percentile, where a higher percentile marks a higher accident rate. The 172D therefore records a lower accident rate than most of the comparable types it is measured against. Of the 22 recorded accidents, 2 were fatal.
Registry persistence for the 172D runs at about half: roughly that share of every U.S. registry record ever opened for the type is still active today. More than 400 Cessna 172D aircraft remain on the U.S. civil registry.
Within Cessna's lineup, the 172D ranks 46th-largest by active registration count. The 172D makes up less than 1% of the manufacturer's total active registered fleet.
Aircraft Details
| Manufacturer | Cessna |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Serial Number | 2072410 |
| Model | 172D |
| 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 172D, 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).
20 exact, 1 recovered, 1 provisional
MethodologyTotal recorded general-aviation accidents within the analyzed period.
2 fatal accidents.
9.1% of recorded accidents were fatal.
Active aircraft fleet size contributing to the exposure data.
9,657
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 (22)
Recorded Accidents
All 22 recorded NTSB general-aviation accidents for this model, most recent first.
| Date | Location | Tail | Damage | Highest injury | Phase of flight | Finding categories |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Post, TX | N2536U | Substantial | None | Enroute | Aircraft | |
| Eastham, MA | N2710U | Substantial | None | Enroute | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Chambers, NE | N2946U | Substantial | Fatal | Maneuvering | Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Quinton, VA | N2777U | Substantial | Serious | Initial climb | Not determined | |
| Auburn, WA | N2351U | Substantial | None | Approach | Not determined | |
| Cape Coral, FL | N2492U | Substantial | Minor | Prior to flight | Aircraft, Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Arlington, WA | N539MT | Substantial | None | Landing | Aircraft | |
| La Junta, CO | N2567U | Substantial | None | Takeoff | Personnel issues, Environmental issues, Aircraft | |
| Shenandoah, TX | N2320U | Substantial | Minor | Enroute | Environmental issues, Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Fresno, CA | N2948U | Substantial | None | Enroute | Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues | |
| Fairhope, AL | N2755U | Destroyed | Serious | Approach | Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Indian Trail, NC | N2879U | Substantial | None | Prior to flight | Aircraft, Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Buckland, AK | N8808 | Substantial | None | Takeoff | Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Beckwourth, CA | N2559U | Substantial | Serious | Takeoff | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Belhaven, NC | N2344U | Substantial | None | Maneuvering | Not determined | |
| Durango, CO | N2593 | Substantial | Minor | Initial climb | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Palm Beach, FL | N2483Y | Substantial | None | Enroute | Environmental issues, Personnel issues | |
| Las Cruces, NM | N2723U | Destroyed | Serious | Emergency descent | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Hillsboro, OH | N2190Y | Destroyed | Fatal | Maneuvering | Not determined | |
| Shepherdsville, KY | N172TJ | Substantial | None | Prior to flight | Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues | |
| Perryville, MD | N3063U | Substantial | None | Prior to flight | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Bow, WA | N2404Y | Substantial | Minor | Prior to flight | Personnel issues, Aircraft |