Cessna 172A — registry & accident history
Compiled from FAA & NTSB records · as of Jul 25, 2026
There are 965 Cessna 172A airframes on record (built 1956–1965), 433 currently registered. 17 have one or more NTSB accident records (17 records total, 1 with a fatal highest-injury classification). Data as of Jul 25, 2026.
Recent Cessna 172A accidents
The pilot’s decision to initiate the flight despite identifying a malfunction in the carburetor heat system during the pre-takeoff engine run-up, which led to a partial loss of engine power during climb out. Contributing to the accident was maintenance personnel’s improper rigging of the carburetor heat control cable.
The student pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from a fuel truck while taxiing. Also contributing was the flight instructor’s inadequate monitoring of the student pilot.
The flight instructor’s delayed remedial action during an unstabilized approach, which resulted in an impact with powerlines and a subsequent loss of control
Oil exhaustion due to an oil leak that resulted in a total loss of engine power.
The pilot's improper approach for landing, which resulted in the airplane landing long, and his delayed decision to go around with insufficient runway remaining, which resulted in collision with an airport perimeter fence.
A partial loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a go-around, which resulted in a stall.
The pilot’s decision to attempt a touch-and-go landing on a narrow, ice-covered road with snow banks on each side.
A failure of the nose landing gear end cap due to fatigue. Contributing to the failure were the ineffective inspection and the unknown effect of grain direction on fatigue life.