The Lemon Index

Planes · Single-engine piston

Cessna 172 Skyhawk.

Every U.S. accident NTSB investigated, 2008 to 2025.

Cessna 172 Skyhawk

Photos: Biponacci (Wikimedia Commons)

1,884accidents
11%were fatal
344deaths
5%aircraft destroyed

What pilots and owners watch most.

From 100 YouTube videos about the Cessna 172, 25.9M views.

What owners say it costs

Used prices people quote$154,981middle of 13 prices in 7 videos; most fall between $80,000 and $400,000.Hear it ▶
New price people quote$465,000middle of 4 quotes in 4 videos; most between $450,000 and $480,000.Hear it ▶
  • Engine overhaul$35,00010 videos · most $23,000–$40,000Hear it ▶
  • Cost per flight hour$1749 videos · most $110–$300Hear it ▶
  • Annual inspection$2,0007 videos · most $1,500–$8,000Hear it ▶
  • Hangar / tie-down (usually monthly)$2256 videos · most $75–$1,200Hear it ▶
  • Insurance$1,6376 videos · most $1,000–$2,500Hear it ▶
  • Yearly cost to own$12,0006 videos · most $6,000–$21,000Hear it ▶
  • Avionics / panel upgrade$77,5006 videos · most $15,000–$140,000Hear it ▶
  • Rental per hour$1724 videos · most $140–$200Hear it ▶

Dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos (median, so one wild number can't swing it). Not verified sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.

Most-watched topics

  1. Flying it: landings, lessons & checkrides16.7M views
    Full Length Flight | Touch & Goes | Cessna 172 SkyhawkFull Length Flight | Touch & Goes | Cessna 172 SkyhawkAviation101 · 5.1M views · 46 videos
  2. Maintenance, annuals & upgrades5.2M views
    Inside a Single-Engine Aircraft | How a Cessna 172 WorksInside a Single-Engine Aircraft | How a Cessna 172 WorksJoyplanes · 2.0M views · 23 videos
  3. Reviews & walkarounds1.7M views
    WHICH AIRPLANE IS BETTER? | Cessna 172 vs Diamond DA40 NG | FULL ComparisonWHICH AIRPLANE IS BETTER? | Cessna 172 vs Diamond DA40 NG | FULL ComparisonLifeStyle Aviation · 517K views · 12 videos
  4. Cost of owning1.4M views
    Brand New 2021 Cessna 172S $486,000!Brand New 2021 Cessna 172S $486,000!blancolirio · 499K views · 10 videos
Show 1 more
  1. Accidents, emergencies & the parachute584K views
    What to Do if Your Engine DIES in a Cessna 172 (ENGINE FAILURE in FLIGHT)What to Do if Your Engine DIES in a Cessna 172 (ENGINE FAILURE in FLIGHT)Free Pilot Training · 271K views · 6 videos

Before you buy, watch

Views show what people watch most, not how often something goes wrong. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.

What happened. NTSB's defining event, share of accidents.

Loss of control on ground18%
Hard landing12%
Loss of control in flight8%
Abnormal runway contact6%
Loss of engine power (total)5%
Loss of engine power (partial)4%

Pilot or plane? How often NTSB listed an aircraft problem among the causes.

10%the plane was part of the cause
engine, systems, structure or propeller
90%people or weather only
pilot decisions, control, fuel planning

Out of 1,342 accidents where NTSB recorded a cause. When the plane was a cause, it was most often the engine (reciprocating).

When. Phase of flight.

Landing42%
Enroute12%
Takeoff11%
Approach11%
Maneuvering7%

Accidents per year.

2008147
2009106
2010121
2011116
2012116
2013111
201491
201588
2016111
2017106
2018107
2019111
202093
202193
202298
202388
202491
202590

More planes flying means more accidents, so counts aren't a safety score by themselves. Compare the shares above.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, U.S. accidents 2008–2025. ntsb.gov · Every plane

Updated