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
Jan 14, 2007	San Jose, CA	N18WB	Incident	substantial	The pilot's excessive use of the airplane's wheel brakes, which resulted in a nose over during landing.
Dec 30, 2006	Van Nuys, CA	N9198Z	Incident	substantial	Failure of the pilot under instruction to maintain directional control of the airplane and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision.
Dec 09, 2006	Vienna, MO	N76379	Incident	substantial	The loss of engine power during cruise flight due to fatigued crankshaft cluster gear bolts and the inadequate major overhaul of the engine that was l… The loss of engine power during cruise flight due to fatigued crankshaft cluster gear bolts and the inadequate major overhaul of the engine that was last performed by other maintenance personnel. An additional cause was a subsequent major engine overhaul not performed by the pilot after he purchased the airplane and operated it with an engine that exceeded the engine manufacturer's time between overhaul criteria.
Jul 28, 2006	Cunningham, KS	N89669	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the aborted takeoff. A contributing factor was the mud.
Mar 29, 2006	Pageland, SC	N76688	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a crosswind landing resulting in the airplane veering to the right, colliding with a runway… The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a crosswind landing resulting in the airplane veering to the right, colliding with a runway light, and subsequent nose over.
Mar 11, 2006	Mesa, AZ	N89166	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper use of the flight controls during landing, which resulted in a nose over.
Mar 30, 2005	Denali Park, AK	N2204N	Incident	substantial	The loss of engine power during takeoff and cruise flight for an undetermined reason, which resulted in an emergency descent/landing, and collision wi… The loss of engine power during takeoff and cruise flight for an undetermined reason, which resulted in an emergency descent/landing, and collision with trees.
Sep 15, 2004	North Pole, AK	N1629V	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat during takeoff/initial climb, which resulted in a total loss of engine power, and an in-flight collision wi… The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat during takeoff/initial climb, which resulted in a total loss of engine power, and an in-flight collision with trees.
Jul 31, 2004	Wimauma, FL	N89617	Incident	substantial	The improper in-flight weather evaluation by the student pilot resulting in a downwind landing and subsequent nose over.
Apr 08, 2004	Greenville, SC	N527ST	Incident	substantial	Fatigue failure of the leaf spring gear strut.
Oct 07, 2003	Ridegway, VA	N2370N	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper pre-flight planning, which resulted in an engine failure due to fuel exhaustion.
Aug 10, 2003	Morrilton, AR	N72971	Incident	substantial	The deterioration of the fuel line resulting in fuel contamination and the loss of engine power.
Jul 21, 2003	ANCHORAGE, AK	N72860	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane and excessive application of the airplane brakes during the landing roll that resu… The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane and excessive application of the airplane brakes during the landing roll that resulted in the airplane nosing over.
Jul 13, 2003	Sullivan, WI	N2180V	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions resulting in a loss of directional control. A factor contributing to the accident was the cr… The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions resulting in a loss of directional control. A factor contributing to the accident was the crosswind.
Jul 02, 2003	Ludington, MI	N89360	Incident	substantial	The maintenance personnel's improper installation of the landing gear axle, which resulted in the separation of the axle from the landing gear.
Jun 05, 2003	Grinnell, IA	N5667C	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadvertent ground loop. Factors contributing to the accident were the wind gusts and crosswind conditions.
May 09, 2003	Suffolk, VA	N72942	Incident	substantial	The pilot's misjudgment of his altitude from the wheat field during the execution of a go-around.
Feb 16, 2003	Fryeburg, ME	N76897	Incident	substantial	An in-flight encounter with carburetor ice, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during a simulated engine failure.
Jul 23, 2002	Cook, MN	N2070N	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll.
Nov 24, 2001	Gilchrist, TX	N72701	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper use of carburetor heat during takeoff and his selection of a downwind runway, which resulted in a degradation of performance and … the pilot's improper use of carburetor heat during takeoff and his selection of a downwind runway, which resulted in a degradation of performance and the airplane impacting an embankment.
Jul 25, 2001	San Luis Obispo, CA	N2903N	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing that resulted in dragging the wing and nosing over.
Jul 14, 2001	Spearfish, SD	N2005V	Incident	substantial	The pilot failed to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's inadequat… The pilot failed to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing and his lack of experience in the make and model of the accident airplane.
Jun 08, 2001	La Porte, IN	N89320	Incident	substantial	the inadequate planned approach by the pilot. Contributing factors were the fuel starvation and tailwind.
May 20, 2001	Fort Worth, TX	N77241	Incident	substantial	the inadvertent ground loop during the landing roll. A contributing factor was the gusty crosswind.
Apr 25, 2001	Greeley, CO	N666TC	Incident	substantial	total failure of the right main landing gear spring due to fatigue.

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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