Cessna 172H
Aircraft Manufacturer: Cessna
Model: 172H
About the Cessna 172H
The Cessna 172H holds the 23rd-largest active fleet in Cessna's lineup and accounts for about 1% of the manufacturer's active registered fleet. About 40% of all U.S. registry records ever held for the 172H have been deregistered, with more than 700 of the type still on the U.S. civil registry.
Across its FAA-registration exposure, the Cessna 172H carries 53 recorded accidents, of which 9 were fatal. Measured over that registration exposure, the type's accident rate works out to about 3.3 per 1,000 aircraft-years.
Aircraft Details
| Manufacturer | Cessna |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Serial Number | 2072424 |
| Model | 172H |
| 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 172H, 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).
51 exact, 2 recovered, 0 provisional
MethodologyTotal recorded general-aviation accidents within the analyzed period.
9 fatal accidents.
17.0% of recorded accidents were fatal.
Active aircraft fleet size contributing to the exposure data.
16,022
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 (53)· NUSN (4)· UNK (1)
Recorded Accidents
All 53 recorded NTSB general-aviation accidents for this model, most recent first.
| Date | Location | Tail | Damage | Highest injury | Phase of flight | Finding categories |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Smyrna Beach, FL | N1607F | Substantial | Minor | Prior to flight | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Goliad, TX | N8078L | Substantial | None | Initial climb | unknown | |
| Century, FL | N3254C | Substantial | None | Emergency descent | unknown | |
| Manokotak, AK | N8085L | Substantial | None | Landing | Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Belle Chasse, LA | N2782L | Substantial | None | Approach | Aircraft | |
| Pierson, FL | N8257L | Substantial | Minor | Emergency descent | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Terrell, TX | N8805Z | Substantial | Minor | Landing | Aircraft | |
| Santa Rosa, CA | N3282L | Substantial | None | Approach | Personnel issues | |
| Seattle, WA | N2550L | Substantial | Minor | Enroute | Aircraft | |
| Charles Town, WV | N2554L | Substantial | None | Landing | Aircraft | |
| Kinston, NC | N2527L | Substantial | None | Takeoff | Environmental issues | |
| Crosby, TX | N3238L | Substantial | Serious | Initial climb | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Miami, FL | N8845Z | Substantial | Fatal | Emergency descent | Environmental issues, Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Chugiak, AK | N8020L | Substantial | None | Landing | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Dahlonega, GA | N1410F | Substantial | Fatal | Landing | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Los Angeles, CA | N8056L | Substantial | Serious | Initial climb | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Cypress, TX | N3702R | Substantial | None | Emergency descent | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Dunnellon, FL | N724BC | Substantial | Fatal | Enroute | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Seeley Lake, MT | N3720R | Substantial | Fatal | Approach | Environmental issues, Personnel issues | |
| Newborn, GA | N1612F | Destroyed | Fatal | Enroute | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| El Monte, CA | N1658F | Substantial | None | Maneuvering | Aircraft | |
| Kingston, OK | N8251L | Substantial | None | Takeoff | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Greer, SC | N724BC | Substantial | None | Approach | Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues | |
| Oskaloosa, IA | N334SL | Substantial | None | Landing | Aircraft, Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Sallisaw, OK | N707TM | Substantial | None | Landing | Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues |
Page 1 of 3 (showing accidents 1–25 of 53).