How many accidents has the Cessna 120 had?

The NTSB has recorded 163 events involving the Cessna 120: 12 fatal, 15 serious, 24 minor injuries, and 111 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Cessna 120 a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Cessna 120 has 163 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Cessna 120 Safety Record

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

163

All Events

111

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (19 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Sep 05, 2022	Scappoose, OR	N77257	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while taxing in gusty wind conditions.
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.
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.
May 15, 2014	Colville, WA	N2642N	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Nov 01, 2009	Mineral Canyon, UT	N2729N	Minor	substantial	The pilot's incorrect use of brakes, which resulted in the airplane nosing over.
Jul 16, 2009	Morristown, TN	N7227E	Minor	substantial	The partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Nov 13, 2007	Ocala, FL	N120AB	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain proper runway alignment during landing.
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.
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.
Sep 14, 2000	ILIAMNA, AK	N72775	Minor	substantial	A failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors in the accident were the passenger's inadvertent interference with th… A failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors in the accident were the passenger's inadvertent interference with the controls, and a ditch along the runway.
Jun 01, 1996	RIMROCK, WA	N2965N	Minor	substantial	the pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff, and his excessive use of brakes while decelerating the airplane during the aborted takeoff. Factors relati… the pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff, and his excessive use of brakes while decelerating the airplane during the aborted takeoff. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's loading the airplane above its maximum gross weight, high density altitude, and the rough surface of the runway.
Jun 16, 1991	SPIRIT LAKE, IA	N9008X	Minor	substantial	IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT BY THE PILOT AND UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.
Jun 03, 1991	FAYETTEVILLE, AR	N76404	Minor	substantial	THE PILOT FAILED TO APPLY CARBURETOR HEAT.
Mar 11, 1991	ATIGAN PASS, AK	N77316	Minor	substantial	THE PILOT CONTINUED TO FLY VFR INTO IFR CONDITIONS. RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: LOW CEILINGS, WHITEOUT CONDITIONS, AND THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.
Oct 08, 1989	MAYSVILLE, KY	N1829N	Minor	substantial	THE IMPROPER INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANES ENGINE BY THE PILOT/OWNER RESULTING IN FIVE ROCKER BOX COVER SCREWS BEING MISSING AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF ENGI… THE IMPROPER INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANES ENGINE BY THE PILOT/OWNER RESULTING IN FIVE ROCKER BOX COVER SCREWS BEING MISSING AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF ENGINE OIL DUE TO THE COVER VIBRATING AND CAUSING A HOLE TO BE WORN IN IT. SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO LOSS OF ENGINE OIL RESULTED IN A FORCE LANDING AT WHICH TIME THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES.
Aug 31, 1989	BROOKLYN, MI	N2101V	Minor	destroyed	FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO SEE-AND-AVOID POWER LINES IN HIS FLIGHT PATH DURING A GO-AROUND. THE POWER LINES AND HIS LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRPORT… FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO SEE-AND-AVOID POWER LINES IN HIS FLIGHT PATH DURING A GO-AROUND. THE POWER LINES AND HIS LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRPORT WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.
Oct 12, 1988	ST PETER, MN	N2081V	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Nov 15, 1986	PEYTON, CO	N3004N	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
May 05, 1985	STRONGSVILLE, OH	N89599	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Nov 06, 1983	PUNTA GORDA, FL	N76932	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
May 15, 1983	GRANDVILLE, MI	N3019N	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Oct 31, 1982	MIDVALE, ID	N3177N	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Mar 13, 1982	SAN ANDREAS, CA	N1746N	Minor	destroyed	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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Cessna 120 Safety Record

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