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
Jun 22, 1999	NORTH POLE, AK	N4205N	Incident	substantial	The pilot misjudged his altitude and airspeed, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors in the accident were a wet gra… The pilot misjudged his altitude and airspeed, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors in the accident were a wet grass runway, and the pilot's excessive application of the brakes.
Jun 09, 1999	WOODSTOCK, GA	N76390	Incident	substantial	a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation because of contaminated fuel, resulting in a forced landing and subsequent impact with a tree.
May 28, 1999	FARMINGTON, NM	N89586	Incident	substantial	The pilot's excessive use of rudder while attempting to correct for loss of directional control. Factors were the pilot's loss of directional control… The pilot's excessive use of rudder while attempting to correct for loss of directional control. Factors were the pilot's loss of directional control, and his lack of experience in the type of airplane.
Apr 19, 1999	DALLAS, GA	N9462A	Incident	substantial	The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain/landing area for a short field landing, and his delay in executing a go-around.
Jan 17, 1999	BURSON, CA	N89513	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering to avoid an obstacle immediately after takeoff. A factor in the accident was the … The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering to avoid an obstacle immediately after takeoff. A factor in the accident was the pilot's inadequate examination of the off-airport takeoff area in order to identify potential hazards.
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.
Oct 01, 1998	BELEN, NM	N9403A	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Factors were his inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind conditions, and the airplane manuf… The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. Factors were his inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind conditions, and the airplane manufacturer's failure to provide adequate performance data.
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.
Sep 07, 1998	FAIRBANKS, AK	N81045	Incident	substantial	The loss of engine power due to an in-flight fracture of an engine exhaust valve stem assembly. A factor associated with the accident was the lack of … The loss of engine power due to an in-flight fracture of an engine exhaust valve stem assembly. A factor associated with the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.
Aug 12, 1998	BATTLEGROUND, WA	N77017	Incident	substantial	Nose Over for undetermined reasons.
Aug 04, 1998	ST. JOSEPH, MO	N2364V	Fatal (2)	destroyed	the pilot not maintaining a proper final approach glide path to avoid an encounter with wake turbulence. A factor in this accident was the pilot not … the pilot not maintaining a proper final approach glide path to avoid an encounter with wake turbulence. A factor in this accident was the pilot not being able to control the airplane after its encounter with wake turbulence.
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.
Jul 19, 1998	GANSEVOORT, NY	N1689V	Incident	substantial	The pilot's decision to continue the landing attempt too far down the runway.
Jul 01, 1998	EDGEWOOD, TX	N9689A	Fatal (1)	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain minimum required airspeed for flight. Factors were the worn fuel line, which separated, and the failure of the mainte… The pilot's failure to maintain minimum required airspeed for flight. Factors were the worn fuel line, which separated, and the failure of the maintenance personnel to locate the worn fuel line during the annual inspection.
Jun 01, 1998	MADISON, CT	N72657	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper in-flight decision to continue the landing and his delayed go-around attempt. A factor in this accident was the pilot's diverted… The pilot's improper in-flight decision to continue the landing and his delayed go-around attempt. A factor in this accident was the pilot's diverted attention.
May 22, 1998	HOLT, FL	N2102N	Incident	substantial	Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the unsuitable terrain.
Mar 28, 1998	LINDEN, NJ	N2229V	Incident	substantial	The pilot in commands improper recovery from a bounced landing.
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.
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.
Aug 04, 1997	VANCOUVER, WA	N2076N	Fatal (1)	substantial	Aircraft control was not maintained. Continued operation with known deficiencies in equipment and movement restrictions to an exhaust valve were fact… Aircraft control was not maintained. Continued operation with known deficiencies in equipment and movement restrictions to an exhaust valve were factors.
Jul 12, 1997	ARLINGTON, WA	N4275N	Incident	substantial	Failure of the right-main landing gear axle after landing.

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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