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
Jul 25, 2021 Bloomsburg, PA N76596 Incident substantial The pilot’s loss of directional control during the landing rollout, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain.
Jul 22, 2021 Caddo Mills, TX N84BC Incident substantial
The missing vertical stabilizer hardware, which resulted in a severe uncommanded yawing motion that necessitated an emergency landing, during which th…

The missing vertical stabilizer hardware, which resulted in a severe uncommanded yawing motion that necessitated an emergency landing, during which the airplane nosed over and sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer.

May 29, 2021 Fields, OR N89257 Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing
Apr 26, 2021 Anchorage, AK N77219 Incident substantial
The pilot’s mismanagement of fuel which resulted in fuel starvation and total loss of engine power during a go-around. Contributing to the accident wa…

The pilot’s mismanagement of fuel which resulted in fuel starvation and total loss of engine power during a go-around. Contributing to the accident was the improperly marked fuel quantity gauges that failed to indicate a fuel quantity takeoff limitation.

Apr 25, 2021 Palmer, AK N1685V Incident substantial The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing and his excessive braking which resulted in a nose-over.
Oct 30, 2020 Edinburg, TX N76933 Incident substantial The collapse of the airplane’s left main landing gear for a reason that could not be determined based upon the available evidence.
Sep 26, 2020 New Smyrna Beach, FL N89476 Incident substantial The pilot’s decision to depart from a non-suitable surface, which resulted in a loss of directional control during takeoff roll.
Aug 18, 2020 Olustee, OK N2207N Incident substantial
The pilot's decision to attempt a takeoff from the middle of the runway in shifting wind conditions, which resulted in an aborted takeoff and runway e…

The pilot's decision to attempt a takeoff from the middle of the runway in shifting wind conditions, which resulted in an aborted takeoff and runway excursion.

Jul 18, 2020 Arlington, TX N140AB Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a forced landing with a quartering tailwind, following a partial loss of engine power due t…

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a forced landing with a quartering tailwind, following a partial loss of engine power due to carburetor icing.

May 26, 2020 Appleton, WI N90023 Incident substantial The pilot's loss of control while landing a tailwheel airplane.
Jun 12, 2019 Independence, OR N73053 Incident substantial Fatigue failure of the right landing gear axle, which resulted in a loss of control during the landing roll.
Mar 26, 2019 Newton, KS N76268 Incident substantial The loss of engine power after the No. 1 connecting rod end separated as a result of oil starvation, which led to the forced landing and nose-over.
Mar 18, 2019 Corvallis, OR N5641C Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a propeller strike and subsequent nose-over.
Oct 15, 2018 Denver, CO N76154 Incident substantial The pilot’s inadvertent brake application, which resulted in a loss of directional control and a subsequent nose-over.
Oct 10, 2018 Marina, CA N89266 Incident substantial The pilot’s inadvertent application of the brakes, which resulted in a nose-over.
Aug 31, 2018 TEHACHAPI, CA N2167V Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a total loss of engine power during the initial climb.
Aug 17, 2018 Hayes Center, NE N4102N Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
Aug 14, 2018 Marsing, ID N89093 Incident substantial The loss of engine power during a low pass as a result of a blockage of the carburetor idle chambers which led to a forced landing in a river.
Jul 26, 2018 Healdsburg, CA N1902V Incident substantial The pilot's improper brake application during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose-over.
Mar 12, 2018 Madison, SD N2011N Incident substantial The flight instructor’s delayed aborted takeoff on a soft, wet, grass runway, which resulted in a runway overrun.
Feb 09, 2018 Keller, TX N2829N Incident substantial
The pilot's inability to gain altitude normally in order to avoid a flock of ducks flying overhead during takeoff, which resulted in the airplane stri…

The pilot's inability to gain altitude normally in order to avoid a flock of ducks flying overhead during takeoff, which resulted in the airplane striking a fence.

Nov 08, 2017 Macon, GA N76238 Incident substantial The pilot's incorrect pitch control during takeoff, which resulted in a nose-over.
Aug 30, 2017 Empire, NV N140X Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an off-airport precautionary landing on a dirt road with an uphill gradient.
Mar 28, 2017 St. Petersburg, FL N7838B Incident substantial
The pilot receiving instruction’s overcorrection with rudder during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop and runway excursion. Contributi…

The pilot receiving instruction’s overcorrection with rudder during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop and runway excursion. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.

Jan 17, 2017 Markleeville, CA N5623C Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain altitude during a low pass and the subsequent impact with a snow berm, which resulted in a nosed-over.
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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