Cessna 140 Safety Record
Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 460 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.
| Date | Location | Reg# | Severity | Damage | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Mar 18, 2004 | Portland, TX | N2435V | Serious (1) | substantial |
The pilots failure to maintain airspeed resulting in an inadvertant stall while executing a forced landing. A factor was the loss of engine power for…The pilots failure to maintain airspeed resulting in an inadvertant stall while executing a forced landing. A factor was the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. |
| Jan 12, 2004 | Vacaville, CA | N77S | Serious (2) | substantial |
the pilot's failure to either obtain a preflight weather report and forecast for the destination or to add additional fuel, which ultimately resulted …the pilot's failure to either obtain a preflight weather report and forecast for the destination or to add additional fuel, which ultimately resulted in fuel exhaustion and collision with trees. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Aug 24, 2003 | Edwardsburg, MI | N140GS | Fatal (1) | substantial |
The pilot not maintaining altitude/clearance from the power line during his low level cruise. Factors were the power transmission line, the lake, an…The pilot not maintaining altitude/clearance from the power line during his low level cruise. Factors were the power transmission line, the lake, and low altitude flight. |
| 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 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. |
| 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. |
| Oct 07, 2002 | Avalon, CA | N90168 | Serious (1) | destroyed |
The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude while maneuvering at low altitude. Factors were the pilot's fatigue and the distraction of trying…The pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude while maneuvering at low altitude. Factors were the pilot's fatigue and the distraction of trying to drop a message onto a boat. |
| Jul 23, 2002 | Cook, MN | N2070N | Incident | substantial | The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |