Cessna 120 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 163 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 20, 2026 | Eureka, CA | N72904 | Incident | — | Investigation pending |
| Aug 24, 2025 | Taylor, AZ | N3151N | Incident | substantial | Investigation pending |
| Feb 28, 2025 | Arcadia, FL | N3080N | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing. |
| Apr 21, 2024 | Talkeetna, AK | N77032 | Incident | substantial |
A degraded ignition system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was maintenance personnel’s inadequate inspec…A degraded ignition system, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was maintenance personnel’s inadequate inspection of the ignition system. |
| Jan 25, 2023 | Eagle River, WI | N73034 | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s decision to takeoff from an unsuitable surface which resulted in collision with an object. |
| Sep 05, 2022 | Scappoose, OR | N77257 | Minor | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while taxing in gusty wind conditions. |
| Jul 30, 2022 | Mecosta, MI | N2902N | Incident | substantial |
The pilot’s decision to depart on inadequate runway surface conditions that resulted in a loss of control after attempting to abort the takeoff, a run…The pilot’s decision to depart on inadequate runway surface conditions that resulted in a loss of control after attempting to abort the takeoff, a runway excursion, and a nose over. |
| Jun 28, 2022 | San Carlos, CA | N2056V | Incident | substantial | The total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. |
| Jan 18, 2022 | Sturtevant, WI | N90129 | Serious (1) | substantial |
The pilot’s loss of directional control during the takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence, which resulted in…The pilot’s loss of directional control during the takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence, which resulted in a runway excursion. |
| Jan 03, 2022 | Upland, CA | N76646 | Minor | substantial | The pilot’s loss of airplane control during a go-around as it encountered wake turbulence from a slow hover taxiing helicopter. |
| Jun 05, 2021 | Warwick, NY | N1899N | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s failure to attain a proper touchdown point, which resulted in the airplane contacting the ground short of the runway. |
| Nov 17, 2020 | Johnson City, KS | N2376N | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s improper decision to fly the airplane at too low an altitude resulting in the airplane impacting terrain. |
| Jul 17, 2020 | Osceola, WI | N1926N | Incident | substantial | The pilots did not maintain directional control of the airplane during landing. |
| May 24, 2020 | Gulkana, AK | N72536 | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed during final approach to landing, and his subsequent failure to attain sufficient altitude to clear tr…The pilot's failure to maintain proper airspeed during final approach to landing, and his subsequent failure to attain sufficient altitude to clear trees during an attempted go-around. |
| May 15, 2020 | Chatham, IL | N120MZ | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's decision to continue flight in instrument meteorological conditions in an airplane not equipped for instrument flight, which forced her to…The pilot's decision to continue flight in instrument meteorological conditions in an airplane not equipped for instrument flight, which forced her to perform a precautionary landing to a muddy field resulting in the airplane nosing over. |
| Oct 23, 2019 | Marion, AL | N77200 | Incident | substantial | The student pilot's overapplication of the brakes during landing to avoid a deer on the runway, which resulted in a nose-over. |
| Aug 21, 2019 | Livermore, CA | N4237N | Serious (1) | substantial |
A partial loss of engine power due to fouled spark plugs in the No. 4 cylinder. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s exceedance of the airplan…A partial loss of engine power due to fouled spark plugs in the No. 4 cylinder. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and a subsequent loss of control during the initial climb. |
| Jul 13, 2019 | Summit, SC | N3886V | Incident | substantial | A total loss of engine power during initial climb due to carburetor ice formation. |
| Dec 15, 2018 | Beaumont, KS | N2496N | Incident | substantial |
The right brake being locked during the landing roll on the turf runway for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examinations, whi…The right brake being locked during the landing roll on the turf runway for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examinations, which resulted in a noseover. |
| Oct 13, 2018 | Hudson, CO | N1881N | Minor | substantial | The partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. |
| Aug 06, 2018 | Pomona, MO | N76524 | Incident | substantial | The pilot's inadequate fuel management, which resulted in fuel starvation and a forced landing. |
| May 16, 2018 | Harlan, IA | N77273 | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s late go-around during a bounced landing, which led to an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. |
| Apr 21, 2018 | Iola, WI | N1807V | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s decision to reject the takeoff from a snow-covered grass surface, which resulted in a nose-over. |
| Oct 21, 2017 | New Bern, NC | N72552 | Incident | substantial | The pilot’s improper landing flare and subsequent failure to maintain directional control during landing. |
| Mar 19, 2017 | Columbia, IL | N1915N | Incident | substantial | The partial loss of engine power due to carburetor icing. |