Cessna 120 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 163 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 12, 2009 | Woodstock, GA | N57N | Incident | substantial | A loss of engine power, as reported by the pilot, for undetermined reasons. |
| Sep 19, 2008 | Jesup, GA | N77068 | Incident | substantial | An oil starvation-induced catastrophic engine failure due to the improper installation of the crankshaft expansion plug during engine overhaul. |
| Nov 13, 2007 | Ocala, FL | N120AB | Minor | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain proper runway alignment during landing. |
| Jan 17, 2007 | La Salle, CO | N1670V | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the ground. Contributing factors included the pilot's intentional low pass and his misjudging his alti…The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the ground. Contributing factors included the pilot's intentional low pass and his misjudging his altitude. |
| Nov 23, 2006 | Perryville, MO | N1915N | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing which resulted in an overload of the tailwheel attachment structure in the fuselage…The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing which resulted in an overload of the tailwheel attachment structure in the fuselage. |
| Jul 30, 2006 | Ashland, KY | N1981V | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's improper fuel tank selection, which resulted in fuel starvation and a subsequent loss of engine power. A factor in the accident was the tr…The pilot's improper fuel tank selection, which resulted in fuel starvation and a subsequent loss of engine power. A factor in the accident was the trees. |
| Jul 15, 2006 | Rockwall, TX | N2591N | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to compensate for existing wind conditions. A contributing factor was the prevailing crosswind. |
| Jul 14, 2006 | Laporte, MN | N3089N | Incident | substantial |
The inadequate preflight planning/preparation by the pilot and the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion during takeoff. A contributing factor …The inadequate preflight planning/preparation by the pilot and the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion during takeoff. A contributing factor was the runway marker. |
| Jan 14, 2006 | Hibbing, MN | N76203 | Incident | substantial | The pilot used a rough frozen lake for takeoff which resulted in the overload failure of the landing ski. A factor was the rough frozen lake. |
| Nov 18, 2005 | Woodstock, GA | N57N | Incident | substantial | The pilot's excessive braking resulted in a nose over during landing roll. |
| Aug 07, 2005 | Chiloquin, OR | N627DM | Fatal (1) | destroyed |
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed and a loss of control during a pull-up maneuver. A factor contributing to the accident was the inadvertent s…The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed and a loss of control during a pull-up maneuver. A factor contributing to the accident was the inadvertent stall/spin, which resulted in the subsequent collision with terrain. |
| Jul 31, 2005 | New Roads, LA | N1703N | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain control during the landing roll. |
| May 05, 2005 | Elk River, ID | N77377 | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. An inadvertent ground loop was a factor. |
| Nov 02, 2004 | Willimantic, CT | N1811N | Incident | substantial | the pilot's loss of directional control due to his uneven application of brakes. A factor in the accident was the tailwind. |
| Jul 18, 2004 | Beluga, AK | N1847N | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, which resulted in airplane departing the landing surface …The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll, which resulted in airplane departing the landing surface into a ditch, and subsequently nosing over in tall bushes. A factor contributing to the accident was soft terrain along the edge of the landing surface. |
| May 25, 2004 | New Castle, PA | N1996V | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to use all available takeoff area and his delay in aborting the takeoff. |
| Feb 28, 2004 | Red Bluff, CA | N3029N | Incident | substantial |
the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind condition and failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll on a narrow runway. A …the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind condition and failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll on a narrow runway. A contributing factor were the gusty tailwind conditions. |
| Feb 21, 2004 | Merrill, WI | N73034 | Incident | substantial | The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain to conduct a landing. Factors were the reported flat light conditions and the uneven terrain. |
| Jan 26, 2004 | Lonoke, AR | N1961V | Incident | substantial | The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the dusk lighting conditions and unlit airfield. |
| May 27, 2003 | Plant City, FL | N76494 | Minor | substantial | The failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane resulting in it nosing over during the landing roll. |
| Sep 06, 2002 | Brookfield, WI | N2601N | Serious | — | The inadequate visual outlook by the pilot during taxi. |
| Aug 16, 2002 | Missoula, MT | N72594 | Incident | substantial |
The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the wind conditions during the landing roll. Delayed remedial action and a high crosswind condition …The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the wind conditions during the landing roll. Delayed remedial action and a high crosswind condition were factors. |
| Apr 30, 2002 | Racine, WI | N6RP | Minor | substantial |
The inadequate weather evaluation and delayed application of carburetor heat by the pilot, and the unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced la…The inadequate weather evaluation and delayed application of carburetor heat by the pilot, and the unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing. The carburetor icing conditions and the low altitude were factors. |
| Mar 17, 2002 | Deer Park, WA | N77301 | Minor | substantial | Loss of directional control while landing. A drainage ditch was a factor. |
| Jul 21, 2001 | Troutdale, OR | N90077 | Serious (1) | destroyed |
the pilot's inadvertent visual flight rules ( VFR) flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) during cruise flight. Factors include his a…the pilot's inadvertent visual flight rules ( VFR) flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) during cruise flight. Factors include his attention being diverted to the indications presented by his Global Positioning System (GPS), and low ceiling and clouds in the area he was transiting. |