Cessna 172E — registry & accident history
Compiled from FAA & NTSB records · as of Jul 21, 2026
There are 1,200 Cessna 172E airframes on record (built 1956–1967), 616 currently registered. 25 have one or more NTSB accident records (25 records total, 2 with a fatal highest-injury classification). Data as of Jul 21, 2026.
Recent Cessna 172E accidents
The pilot’s failure to use a pre-takeoff checklist, which resulted in the fuel selector being in the off position, and subsequent loss of engine power during takeoff.
The commercial pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of total engine power due to fuel starvation.
The pilot's failure to attain a proper touchdown point while landing, which resulted in a runway overrun.
The non-instrument rated pilot’s decision to continue visual flight into an area of instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
The fatigue fracture of the nose gear upper torque link, which resulted in the separation of the torque link from the shock strut and a loss of directional control.
The pilot’s failure to abort the takeoff in sufficient time to stop the airplane on the runway remaining. Contributing to the accident was the lack of airplane takeoff performance due to the pilot’s failure to assure that the carburetor heat control was in the off position and the elevated density altitude.
The failure of the Cessna 172N pilot to see and avoid a second airplane while maneuvering in the traffic pattern, which resulted in a midair collision. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the Cessna 172N pilot to tune his radio to the correct traffic advisory frequency for the destination airport.
The student pilot's use of excessive ground speed while making a right turn when exiting the runway, which resulted in a loss of directional control and a runway excursion.