How many accidents has the Cessna 140 had?

The NTSB has recorded 460 events involving the Cessna 140: 35 fatal, 32 serious, 72 minor injuries, and 321 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Cessna 140 a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Cessna 140 has 460 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Cessna 140 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 460 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.

460

All Events

321

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (51 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Feb 09, 2025	Salome, AZ	N4185N	Minor	substantial	The total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and the pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection.
May 20, 2023	American Falls, ID	N77J	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s inadvertent selection of the off position of the fuel tank selector inflight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel s… The pilot’s inadvertent selection of the off position of the fuel tank selector inflight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
Apr 26, 2023	Nyssa, OR	N140D	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed on takeoff that resulted in an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with trees.
Sep 28, 2022	Winterville, NC	N2509N	Minor	substantial	The student pilot’s improper recovery from a bounced landing. A factor in the accident was the instructor’s delayed remedial action which resulted in … The student pilot’s improper recovery from a bounced landing. A factor in the accident was the instructor’s delayed remedial action which resulted in an inability to recover the airplane from an aerodynamic stall.
Jun 05, 2021	Alexandria, MN	N3697V	Minor	substantial	The pilot did not maintain aircraft and directional control during the landing in variable wind conditions resulting in abnormal contact with the terr… The pilot did not maintain aircraft and directional control during the landing in variable wind conditions resulting in abnormal contact with the terrain.
Dec 16, 2019	Lancaster, CA	N4098N	Minor	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his use of excessive braking while taxiing.
Jul 04, 2019	Reeves, LA	N3725V	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to secure the oil filler cap, which resulted in oil starvation and a precautionary off-airport landing, during which the airplane … The pilot's failure to secure the oil filler cap, which resulted in oil starvation and a precautionary off-airport landing, during which the airplane was substantially damaged.
Aug 04, 2018	Mount Holly, NJ	N1160D	Minor	substantial	The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in the airplane ballooning upon landing, and his subsequent loss of directional control and excessi… The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in the airplane ballooning upon landing, and his subsequent loss of directional control and excessive brake application.
Oct 30, 2017	Port Townsend, WA	N72339	Minor	substantial	A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
May 01, 2015	Crescent Lake, OR	N2514N	Minor	substantial	The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the pilo… The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inability to restart the engine for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine and fuel system revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Apr 18, 2015	Mize, MS	N76452	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from obstacles during an off airport precautionary landing roll.
Mar 16, 2015	Easton, MD	N2026V	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Jan 01, 2015	Yuma, AZ	N2841N	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to compensate for crosswind conditions during takeoff, which resulted in the loss of directional control and collision with terrai… The pilot's failure to compensate for crosswind conditions during takeoff, which resulted in the loss of directional control and collision with terrain.
May 21, 2014	Vacaville, CA	N2256N	Minor	substantial	The pilot's use of excessive brakes during landing, which resulted in a nose over. Contributing to the accident was a partial loss of engine power dur… The pilot's use of excessive brakes during landing, which resulted in a nose over. Contributing to the accident was a partial loss of engine power during takeoff initial climb, likely due to carburetor ice.
Jul 02, 2013	Vernon, TX	N72343	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s excessive use of wheel brakes during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a nose-over.
Jun 07, 2013	Minot, ND	N2054V	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff.
Nov 02, 2012	Watsonville, CA	N77227	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during the landing roll.
Jun 21, 2012	Walnut Ridge, AR	N9497A	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control after encountering a whirlwind or dust-devil during the landing flare.
Jan 09, 2010	Chico, CA	N3160N	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s inadequate weather evaluation and failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering in low visibility conditions.
Sep 16, 2009	Santa Paula, CA	N326DW	Minor	substantial	A total loss of engine power during takeoff for undetermined reasons.
May 09, 2008	Burlington, WI	N89307	Minor	substantial	A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the low altitude at the time of the loss of engine power.
Dec 06, 2004	Spanaway, WA	N3571V	Minor	substantial	The pilot's misjudgment of distance/altitude during final approach to land which resulted in an undershoot and in flight collision with a fence. A fa… The pilot's misjudgment of distance/altitude during final approach to land which resulted in an undershoot and in flight collision with a fence. A factor was the pilot's alcohol impairment.
Oct 03, 2003	Waterloo, IA	N72701	Minor	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions which resulted in his failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing. A factor… The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions which resulted in his failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing. A factor associated with the accident was the strong, gusty wind condition.
Jun 11, 2003	Anchorage, AK	N9667A	Minor	substantial	The pilot's excessive application of the brakes during the landing roll of a short field landing, which resulted in the airplane nosing over.
Apr 22, 2002	Powderly, TX	N89343	Minor	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in an encounter with muddy terrain and a nose over. Contr… the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in an encounter with muddy terrain and a nose over. Contributing factors to the accident were the crosswind and muddy terrain.

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 140 Safety Record

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