Cessna R172K
Aircraft Manufacturer: Cessna
Model: R172K
About the Cessna R172K
The Cessna R172K registers a safety percentile of about one in five among comparable types, where a higher percentile signals a higher accident rate. The R172K's safety percentile places its accident rate below most comparable types in that cohort. Measured over the type's FAA-registration exposure, the R172K records about 2.7 accidents per 1,000 aircraft-years. Of the R172K's 35 recorded accidents, 6 were fatal.
The R172K keeps more than 600 active aircraft on the U.S. civil registry, the 33rd-largest active fleet in Cessna's lineup. The R172K accounts for about 1% of Cessna's total active fleet.
More than 500 R172K airframes have been deregistered. Just over half of all R172K registry records ever held remain active.
Aircraft Details
| Manufacturer | Cessna |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Serial Number | 2072431 |
| Model | R172K |
| Category | Land |
| Aircraft Type | Fixed wing single engine |
| Cruise Speed | 76 MPH / 66 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 R172K, 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).
33 exact, 2 recovered, 0 provisional
MethodologyTotal recorded general-aviation accidents within the analyzed period.
6 fatal accidents.
17.1% of recorded accidents were fatal.
Active aircraft fleet size contributing to the exposure data.
12,937
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 (35)· NUSN (3)· NUSC (1)· PUBU (1)· UNK (1)
Recorded Accidents
All 35 recorded NTSB general-aviation accidents for this model, most recent first.
| Date | Location | Tail | Damage | Highest injury | Phase of flight | Finding categories |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Carroll, IL | N7354V | Substantial | Serious | Approach | Aircraft, Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Trapper Creek, AK | N1258V | Substantial | None | Maneuvering | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Plover, WI | N172SP | Substantial | None | Enroute | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Brooksville, FL | N5405V | Substantial | Minor | Landing | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Fairbanks, AK | N736KP | Substantial | Minor | Landing | Personnel issues | |
| Rexburg, ID | N1082V | Substantial | None | Landing | Aircraft, Not determined, Personnel issues | |
| Lino Lakes, MN | N612R | Substantial | None | Takeoff | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| North Garden, VA | N1609V | Substantial | Minor | Enroute | Aircraft, Environmental issues | |
| Mertzon, TX | N2583V | Destroyed | Fatal | Enroute | Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues | |
| Troutdale, OR | N736QV | Substantial | None | Landing | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Ogden, UT | N736TB | Substantial | None | Takeoff | Aircraft, Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Chesaning, MI | N1095V | Destroyed | Fatal | Approach | Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Naples, ME | N736NK | Substantial | None | Landing | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Nome, AK | N736AS | Substantial | Fatal | Approach | Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues | |
| Rosamond, CA | N736LZ | Substantial | None | Prior to flight | Personnel issues | |
| Craig, CO | N998M | Substantial | None | Landing | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Jacksonville, FL | N758PK | unknown | unknown | Enroute | Personnel issues | |
| College Station, TX | N180CM | Substantial | Serious | Enroute | Aircraft, Organizational issues, Environmental issues | |
| Fairfield, NC | N5453V | Substantial | None | Takeoff | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Landmark, ID | N7390K | Destroyed | Fatal | Enroute | Personnel issues | |
| St. Cloud, MN | N758HP | Substantial | None | Takeoff | Aircraft, Not determined | |
| Greene, NY | N758JQ | Substantial | None | Enroute | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Williamsburg, VA | N758GY | Substantial | None | Enroute | Not determined | |
| Jonesboro, AR | N758DZ | Substantial | None | Landing | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Sandy, OR | N758TT | Substantial | None | Landing | Aircraft, Environmental issues, Personnel issues |
Page 1 of 2 (showing accidents 1–25 of 35).