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 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. |
| 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. |
| Sep 18, 2016 | Davis, CA | N76284 | Serious (1) | substantial |
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and noseover. Contributing to the ac…The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and noseover. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the seatbelt anchor bracket. |
| Nov 06, 2015 | Gonzales, LA | N2942N | Serious (1) | substantial |
Maintenance personnel’s improper installation of the carburetor during recent maintenance, including the omission of a required cotter pin, which resu…Maintenance personnel’s improper installation of the carburetor during recent maintenance, including the omission of a required cotter pin, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. |
| Sep 06, 2002 | Brookfield, WI | N2601N | Serious | — | The inadequate visual outlook by the pilot during taxi. |
| 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. |
| Jul 17, 1997 | NAPOLEON, OH | N2550N | Serious (1) | substantial | The pilot's decision to take off with inadequate fuel. |
| Feb 12, 1994 | CHITTENANGO, NY | N1626V | Serious (1) | substantial | THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PLANNING/DECISION TO TAKE OFF WITH THE PRESENCE OF A TAILWIND. |
| Feb 16, 1993 | BATTLEGROUND, WA | N2100V | Serious (1) | destroyed |
THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S ALLOWING THE AIRCRAFT TO ENTER A STALL/SPIN CONDITION. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE A TAILWIND, POWER LINES AND TR…THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S ALLOWING THE AIRCRAFT TO ENTER A STALL/SPIN CONDITION. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE A TAILWIND, POWER LINES AND TREES. |
| May 03, 1992 | WILMINGTON, NC | N72973 | Serious (1) | substantial |
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN PROPER ASSISTANCE DURING THE ENGINE STARTING PROCEDURE, AND HIS FAILURE TO PROPERLY ATTEND TO THE AIRPLANE WITH THE ENGI…THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN PROPER ASSISTANCE DURING THE ENGINE STARTING PROCEDURE, AND HIS FAILURE TO PROPERLY ATTEND TO THE AIRPLANE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. |
| Feb 11, 1990 | ATMORE, AL | N90093 | Serious (1) | substantial |
FUEL STARVATION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT AND IMPROPER POSITIONING OF THE FUEL SELECTOR. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: ROUGH TERRAIN IN…FUEL STARVATION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT AND IMPROPER POSITIONING OF THE FUEL SELECTOR. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: ROUGH TERRAIN IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA. |
| Oct 05, 1988 | MONROE, GA | N77458 | Serious (1) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| Feb 10, 1988 | ADA, OK | N2431N | Serious (2) | destroyed | Investigation pending |
| Aug 05, 1987 | OSHKOSH, WI | N76249 | Serious (1) | — | Investigation pending |
| May 31, 1986 | MAGNOLIA, KY | N76730 | Serious (1) | substantial | Investigation pending |