Cessna 120 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 163 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.

163

All Events

111

Incidents

24

Minor

15

Serious

12

Fatal (19 fatalities)
Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Jun 06, 1992 ELK RIVER, MN N76028 Incident substantial THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT INSPECTION.
Jan 21, 1992 SONOMA, CA N3010N Incident substantial
ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO A BINDING MIXTURE CONTROL SHAFT. THE BINDING MIXTURE CONTROL SHAFT WAS THE RESULT OF INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE WHICH ALLOWED THE A…

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO A BINDING MIXTURE CONTROL SHAFT. THE BINDING MIXTURE CONTROL SHAFT WAS THE RESULT OF INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE WHICH ALLOWED THE ACCUMULATION OF MOISTURE AND WATER IN THE CARBURETOR TO REMAIN FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME CAUSING RUST AND CORROSION. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE NATURE OF THE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING ATTEMPT.
Nov 29, 1991 LAS CRUCES, NM N1906N Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. A FACTOR WAS THE TAILWIND.
Jul 12, 1991 POCAHONTAS, MS N77411 Incident substantial PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASONS AND IN-FLIGHT COLLISION WITH A POWER LINE DURING AN EMERGENCY DESCENT FOR A FORCED LANDING.
Jun 02, 1991 DELAWARE, OH N2858N Incident substantial CARBURETOR ICE AND THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS.
May 28, 1991 Wellsville, PA N2714N Incident substantial A POWER LOSS DUE TO A FUEL SYSTEM BLOCKAGE WHICH RESULTED IN A FORCED LANDING.
Apr 06, 1991 PINEBLUFF, NC N46GB Incident substantial
THE PILOT'S DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF. THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CALCULATE THE AIRCRAFT'S PERFORMANCE FOR THE EXISTING CONDITIONS WAS A FACTOR RELAT…

THE PILOT'S DELAY IN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF. THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CALCULATE THE AIRCRAFT'S PERFORMANCE FOR THE EXISTING CONDITIONS WAS A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT.
Mar 09, 1991 SKYKOMISH, WA N3163N Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO TAKE APPROPRIATE REMEDIAL ACTION AFTER LANDING TOO FAR DOWN THE RUNWAY.
Sep 08, 1990 SOUTHBRIDGE, MA N89697 Incident substantial THE PILOT IMPROPER STARTING PROCEDURES.
Apr 26, 1990 PHOENIX, AZ N72576 Incident substantial THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL BY IMPROPERLY USING THE RUDDERS/TALL WHEEL STEERING.
Sep 16, 1989 SHELBYVILLE, IN N1844N Incident substantial THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALIGNMENT DURING THE LANDING ROLL.
Sep 20, 1987 CREIGHTON, NE N2061V Incident substantial Investigation pending
Jun 07, 1987 FRESNO, CA N76546 Incident substantial Investigation pending
May 16, 1987 OKLAWAHA, FL N2106V Incident substantial Investigation pending
May 09, 1987 LEBANON, IN N2224N Incident destroyed Investigation pending
Jan 08, 1987 SALEM, AR N72516 Incident substantial Investigation pending
Nov 17, 1986 COLUMBIA, CA N4085N Incident substantial Investigation pending
Oct 22, 1986 DECATUR, IL N2896N Incident substantial Investigation pending
Jul 11, 1986 RIVERTON, WY N3099N Incident substantial Investigation pending
Apr 13, 1986 LAKE GEORGE, AK N3008N Incident substantial Investigation pending
Aug 17, 1985 ERIE, CO N4113N Incident substantial Investigation pending
Jul 22, 1985 HART, MI N2785N Incident substantial Investigation pending
Apr 19, 1985 SALUDA, SC N1819V Incident substantial Investigation pending
Aug 30, 1984 HOPEDALE, IL N76490 Incident substantial Investigation pending
May 15, 1984 LARCHWOOD, IA N76450 Incident substantial Investigation pending
Disclaimer: This data is sourced from the NTSB Aviation Accident Database. NTSB events reflect reported accidents and incidents and do not necessarily indicate a defect in the aircraft type. Many events involve pilot error, weather conditions, maintenance issues, or other factors unrelated to the aircraft design. This information is provided for research purposes only — consult official NTSB reports for complete details.
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