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 24, 1998	JUSTIN, TX	N377V	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper planning/decision and failure to ensure that the airplane would be able to remain clear of the fence during takeoff. Factors rel… the pilot's improper planning/decision and failure to ensure that the airplane would be able to remain clear of the fence during takeoff. Factors relating to the accident were: the wet/soft/short runway (and terrain) conditions.
Jan 13, 1998	GOODYEAR, AZ	N2496V	Incident	substantial	The inadvertent brake activation by the student pilot while practicing touch-and-go landings.
Aug 13, 1997	HILLSBORO, OR	N76233	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.
Aug 06, 1997	PACOIMA, CA	N76102	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during landing.
Jul 12, 1997	ARLINGTON, WA	N4275N	Incident	substantial	Failure of the right-main landing gear axle after landing.
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.
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 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.
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.
Apr 14, 1995	FOXWORTH, MS	N3625V	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S SELECTION OF AN UNUITABLE LANDING STRIP FOR LANDING.
Mar 15, 1995	OGDEN, UT	N3605V	Incident	substantial	DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE A LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN TYPE OF AIRCRAFT AND CROSSWIND.

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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