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
Jun 25, 1997	COLUMBIA, CA	N4293N	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during a bounced landing recovery.
May 22, 1997	FULTON, MO	N76122	Incident	substantial	a malfunction of the engine's carburetor that was associated with a spalled carburetor float fulcrum pin which resulted in fuel starvation.
Apr 30, 1997	PALO ALTO, CA	N2031N	Minor	destroyed	the pilot's failure to obtain and/or maintain adequate airspeed during initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and collisi… the pilot's failure to obtain and/or maintain adequate airspeed during initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and collision with the terrain. A factor relating to the accident was: the degraded climb performance due to an unauthorized modification of the airplane, which increased the airplane's maximum fuel tank capacity and stall speed.
Apr 25, 1997	CLEARWATER, FL	N2351V	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to select the fuller tank for takeoff that resulted in fuel starvation to the engine, and the subsequent total loss of engine powe… The pilot's failure to select the fuller tank for takeoff that resulted in fuel starvation to the engine, and the subsequent total loss of engine power.
Mar 29, 1997	BIG LAKE, MN	N77166	Fatal (1)	destroyed	The pilot's maneuvers which exceeded the design stress limits of the airplane and resulted in structural overload of the horizontal tail followed by a… The pilot's maneuvers which exceeded the design stress limits of the airplane and resulted in structural overload of the horizontal tail followed by a structural overload of the wings.
Jan 13, 1997	GUSTAVUS, AK	N2400N	Incident	substantial	the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. The soft terrain was a related factor.
Jan 04, 1997	ALBUQUERQUE, NM	N3799V	Incident	substantial	The fracture of the right main landing gear for an undetermined reason.
Dec 25, 1996	EMIGRANT GAP, CA	N76857	Incident	substantial	the pilot's misjudgment of altitude/clearance while attempting a precautionary landing on a closed, snow covered runway.
Oct 26, 1996	WAKEFIELD, VA	N83N	Incident	substantial	uncommanded operation of the parking brake, due to a missing tension spring, which resulted in locked brakes and subsequent nose over of the airplane … uncommanded operation of the parking brake, due to a missing tension spring, which resulted in locked brakes and subsequent nose over of the airplane during landing.
Oct 03, 1996	ALLEGAN, MI	N5393C	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
Jul 10, 1996	HOLT, FL	N2102N	Incident	substantial	Loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s) during a go-around, which result in the aircraft being unable to climb above trees at the departure en… Loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s) during a go-around, which result in the aircraft being unable to climb above trees at the departure end of the runway.
Jun 29, 1996	JACKSBORO, TN	N72438	Incident	substantial	loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s), which resutled in a forced landing and subsequent in-flight collision with trees and the terrain.
Jun 26, 1996	EDINBORO, PA	N3788V	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent nose over. The tailwind was a related factor.
Jun 02, 1996	POTTER, NE	N3609V	Incident	substantial	a fatigue fracture of the landing gear axle.
May 31, 1996	PUYALLUP, WA	N72344	Minor	substantial	the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and failure to maintain runway alignment during a go-around. The pilot's improper flare for lan… the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and failure to maintain runway alignment during a go-around. The pilot's improper flare for landing was a related factor.
May 13, 1996	BROOKLYN, MI	N89207	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper use of brakes during the landing. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a… the pilot's improper use of brakes during the landing. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing, and the soft runway condition.
Apr 25, 1996	HOULTON, ME	N2001N	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to select the fullest fuel tank prior to takeoff which resulted in fuel starvation during the initial takeoff climb.
Mar 29, 1996	ELKIN, NC	N89297	Incident	substantial	failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve.
Mar 15, 1996	ULYSSES, KS	N76632	Incident	substantial	Failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll, and his improper use of brakes and elevator control, whi… Failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll, and his improper use of brakes and elevator control, while aborting the takeoff. A factor relating to the accident was the gusty wind condition.
Oct 15, 1995	ALBION, NY	N72239	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate planning/decision and compensation for wind conditions, resulting in the airplane nosing over during the taxi.
Oct 14, 1995	DIXON, CA	N1782V	Minor	substantial	fuel starvation due to debris blocking the carburetor main jet.
Sep 13, 1995	BOYNE FALLS, MI	N76919	Minor	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve.
Sep 09, 1995	ANCHORAGE, AK	N89138	Incident	substantial	failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from terrain during a low pass over a prospective (off-airport) landing area. Factors … failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from terrain during a low pass over a prospective (off-airport) landing area. Factors relating to the accident were: the 'flat' lighting condition, and uneven terrain.
Aug 28, 1995	RICHMOND, RI	N3174N	Incident	substantial	The pilot's mismanagement of the fuel supply, and his improper positioning of the fuel selector, which resulted in fuel starvation and loss of engine … The pilot's mismanagement of the fuel supply, and his improper positioning of the fuel selector, which resulted in fuel starvation and loss of engine power.
Aug 21, 1995	MIO, MI	N76429	Fatal (1)	destroyed	the pilot's impairment of judgement and performance which led to performing a low altitude maneuver with insufficient altitude for recovery. A factor … the pilot's impairment of judgement and performance which led to performing a low altitude maneuver with insufficient altitude for recovery. A factor was the tailwind.

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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