Cessna 140 Safety Record

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

460

All Events

321

Incidents

72

Minor

32

Serious

35

Fatal (51 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Nov 08, 2001 Nephi, UT N76975 Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the transmission wires while maneuvering. A contributing factor was the low altitude flight performed …

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the transmission wires while maneuvering. A contributing factor was the low altitude flight performed by the pilot.

Dec 23, 2000 BAKERSFIELD, CA N72970 Minor substantial
The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning, fuel management, and inadequate remedial actions, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fue…

The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning, fuel management, and inadequate remedial actions, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. The pilot made an off-field landing and collided with a fence.

Aug 05, 2000 POST MILLS, VT N73044 Minor substantial was the pilot's improper fuel management which resulted in power loss due to fuel starvation.
Jun 17, 2000 TURNER, ME N2063N Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control after landing. A factor in this accident was the high grass along the runway edge which disguised…

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control after landing. A factor in this accident was the high grass along the runway edge which disguised an embankment.

Jun 15, 2000 HAYFORK, CA N2688N Minor substantial
The failure of the pilot under instruction to maintain directional control during the landing roll and the inadequate supervision of the flight instru…

The failure of the pilot under instruction to maintain directional control during the landing roll and the inadequate supervision of the flight instructor, which resulted in a collision with a runway light, overload failure of the wheel axle, and the airplane nosing over inverted.

Feb 19, 2000 WEIR, TX N76190 Minor substantial The delayed aborted takeoff by the pilot. Factors were the pilot's intentional ground loop/swerve and the tail wind.
Dec 04, 1999 PORT TOWNSEND, WA N1936V Minor substantial Compensation for wind conditions was inadequate. Gusting wind conditions were a factor.
Aug 15, 1999 ZANESVILLE, OH N89775 Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control.
Jan 04, 1999 SANTA BARBARA, CA N3585V Minor substantial
A loss of engine power due to an internal left magneto coil primary circuit short. Factors were insufficient altitude and inadequate terrain to make …

A loss of engine power due to an internal left magneto coil primary circuit short. Factors were insufficient altitude and inadequate terrain to make an emergency landing.

Sep 26, 1998 WATERTOWN, CT N72929 Minor destroyed Was the pilot's misjudged altitude of the airplane prior to performing a stall, and which resulted in the main landing gear contacting a rock wall.
Jul 23, 1998 FALLS CITY, NE N76601 Minor substantial the main landing gear leg fracturing and separating from the portion mounted to the fuselage for undetermined reasons.
Mar 27, 1998 MILFORD CENTER, OH N1998N Minor substantial the pilot's excessive application of brakes during an aborted takeoff roll.
Mar 25, 1998 NORMAN, OK N2044N Minor substantial
The pilot's improper compensation for wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of directional control and collision with a ditch. A contributing fac…

The pilot's improper compensation for wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of directional control and collision with a ditch. A contributing factor was the high crosswind.

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.

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.

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.
Aug 05, 1995 MECOSTA, MI N74PB Minor substantial the student's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, and the pilot-in-command's (CFI) inadequate remedial action.
Oct 11, 1994 FARMINGTON, ME N2450V Minor substantial LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.
Aug 14, 1994 DAYTON, WY N3736V Minor substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.
Jul 27, 1994 LOMAX, IL N9409A Minor substantial
the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a transmission wire, and the pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate altitude. A factor associated w…

the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a transmission wire, and the pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate altitude. A factor associated with the accident is the transmission wire.

Jun 11, 1994 RAMONA, CA N2927N Minor substantial
a failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane. A lack of total experience in tailwheel type airplanes was a factor in the ac…

a failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane. A lack of total experience in tailwheel type airplanes was a factor in the accident.

Jan 14, 1994 WARNER SPRINGS, CA N140KT Minor substantial a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Feb 05, 1993 SALEM, OR N2019N Minor substantial A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. FACTORS INCLUDE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN, AND TREES SURROUNDING THE FORCED LANDING SITE.
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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