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
Sep 25, 2016 North Collins, NY N3580V Fatal (3) destroyed The failure of the second airplane's pilot to see and avoid the first airplane as he was overtaking the first airplane.
Mar 09, 2014 Carson City, NV N76856 Fatal (1) destroyed
The pilot’s delayed decision to initiate a course-reversal turn when the airplane was unable to attain sufficient altitude to cross a mountain range, …

The pilot’s delayed decision to initiate a course-reversal turn when the airplane was unable to attain sufficient altitude to cross a mountain range, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and entering an aerodynamic stall during the turn. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s selection, for undetermined reasons, of a route different than his normal route.

Sep 24, 2011 Cordele, GA N3101N Fatal (1) substantial The pilot's inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
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.

May 21, 1993 CRAWFORD, NE N2976N Fatal (1) destroyed THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED.
Aug 07, 1992 MAPLE, WI N1947N Fatal (2) destroyed THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PRIVATE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL.
Oct 18, 1991 OLANCHA, CA N120MK Fatal (1) destroyed
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH. FACTORS WERE THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE A…

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH. FACTORS WERE THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND THE PILOT'S POOR APPROACH PLANNING.

Mar 21, 1991 SIMSBURY, CT N4117N Fatal (2) destroyed THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL FLIGHT INTO TERRAIN. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE PSYCHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS.
Jun 21, 1986 MARLTON, NJ N89789 Fatal (2) destroyed Investigation pending
Mar 22, 1986 WHITEFIELD, OK N77483 Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Aug 24, 1985 AFTON, VA N1812V Fatal (2) destroyed Investigation pending
Jan 27, 1985 IRWINDALE, CA N9058Y Fatal (2) 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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