How many accidents has the Cessna 150 had?

The NTSB has recorded 3241 events involving the Cessna 150: 427 fatal, 351 serious, 590 minor injuries, and 1860 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Cessna 150 a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Cessna 150 has 3241 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Cessna 150 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 3241 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.

3241

All Events

1860

Incidents

590

Minor

351

Serious

427

Fatal (611 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Apr 19, 1997	RALEIGH, NC	N3235X	Incident	substantial	failure of the pilot to maintain proper runway alignment during the attempted landing and go-around. Factors relating to the accident were: the gusty … failure of the pilot to maintain proper runway alignment during the attempted landing and go-around. Factors relating to the accident were: the gusty crosswind condition, and proximity of trees to the runway.
Apr 18, 1997	ORMOND BEACH, FL	N63666	Incident	substantial	the flight crew's improper planning/decision, which resulted in loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Apr 05, 1997	WOLFEBORO, NH	N6106T	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper preflight, and failure to refuel the airplane, which resulted in fuel exhaustion during the initial climb after takeoff, and the … The pilot's improper preflight, and failure to refuel the airplane, which resulted in fuel exhaustion during the initial climb after takeoff, and the subsequent forced landing and collision with a mound of dirt.
Apr 03, 1997	ST. PETERSBURG, FL	N2402J	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's improper level off.
Apr 02, 1997	PITTSBURGH, PA	N3616J	Incident	substantial	the student pilot inadvertently became lost/disoriented during a cross-country flight, and failed to use his radio for assistance, which led to fuel e… the student pilot inadvertently became lost/disoriented during a cross-country flight, and failed to use his radio for assistance, which led to fuel exhaustion, loss of engine power, and a forced landing.
Mar 23, 1997	PETERSBURG, IN	N8196S	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall. Low altitude flight is a contributing factor.
Mar 21, 1997	NOGALES, AZ	N21993	Incident	substantial	Loss of engine power due to fuel contamination resulting from the pilot's inadequate fuel storage and filtering procedures.
Mar 20, 1997	LA VALLE, WI	N5526G	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate pre-flight planning/preparation which led to fuel exhaustion. A factor was the snow covered terrain.
Feb 23, 1997	RALEIGH, NC	N714JY	Incident	substantial	a loose fuel capd and siphoning of fuel, resulting in fuel exhaustion and a loss of engine power. A factor was the rough terrain in the forced landing… a loose fuel capd and siphoning of fuel, resulting in fuel exhaustion and a loss of engine power. A factor was the rough terrain in the forced landing field that resulted in the nose over during the landing roll.
Feb 20, 1997	CLARKSVILLE, MD	N11438	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and failure to abort the takeoff.
Feb 19, 1997	TURNER, ME	N7811E	Incident	substantial	Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A related factor was the snowbank.
Feb 15, 1997	PRICE, UT	N5514G	Incident	substantial	The flight instructor's failure to ensure that the dual student maintained adequate airspeed.
Feb 09, 1997	WINTER HAVEN, FL	N6679F	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's inadvertent movement of the mixture control to idle cut-off during the approach to land, which resulted in engine shut-down, and t… the student pilot's inadvertent movement of the mixture control to idle cut-off during the approach to land, which resulted in engine shut-down, and the student's failure to follow emergency procedures for restarting the engine.
Feb 01, 1997	DOWAGIAC, MI	N4655X	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. A factor was the snowbank.
Jan 04, 1997	HELENA, MT	N5935G	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control.
Dec 28, 1996	CATAWBA VALLEY, VA	N4523U	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper planning/decision, and his failure to attain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall after takeoff and collision with ground… the pilot's improper planning/decision, and his failure to attain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall after takeoff and collision with ground. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's use of inadequate terrain for takeoff, high vegetation in the takeoff area, and the prevailing tailwind for takeoff.
Dec 15, 1996	JEFFERSONVILLE, IN	N66211	Incident	substantial	the pilot's misjudgment of the landing flare and inadequate airspeed, which resulted in a hard landing.
Dec 08, 1996	KNOXVILLE, TN	N714LF	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's improper planning/decision, and his failure to maintain proper runway alignment during a crosswind landing. The strong crosswind … the student pilot's improper planning/decision, and his failure to maintain proper runway alignment during a crosswind landing. The strong crosswind was a related factor.
Dec 03, 1996	HOMERVILLE, GA	N6532S	Incident	substantial	carburetor ice, due to the pilot's improper use of carburetor heat, which resulted in a forced landing and impact with trees.
Nov 27, 1996	BOWBELLS, ND	CGOCS	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to lean the mixture control after applying carburetor heat as the pilot's operating handbook states should be done. The carbureto… the pilot's failure to lean the mixture control after applying carburetor heat as the pilot's operating handbook states should be done. The carburetor icing conditions and the terrain were factors.
Nov 25, 1996	ANCHORAGE, AK	N63414	Incident	substantial	failure of the pilot to maintain adequate distance from an airport sign, while taxiing on an unfamiliar airport.
Nov 22, 1996	CHESTERFIELD, MO	N704DR	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout.
Nov 20, 1996	GULF SHORES, AL	N2428J	Incident	substantial	Inadequate maintenance/inspection of the aircraft engine, which allowed continued use of a deteriorated ignition harness and subsequent loss of engine… Inadequate maintenance/inspection of the aircraft engine, which allowed continued use of a deteriorated ignition harness and subsequent loss of engine power.
Nov 10, 1996	TULSA, OK	N8960U	Incident	substantial	Fuel exhaustion due the student pilot's failure to refuel. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Nov 02, 1996	LAKE HAVASU, AZ	N2825V	Incident	destroyed	carburetor ice, and failure of the pilot to use carburetor heat, which resulted in loss of engine power. Factors relating to the accident were: carbu… carburetor ice, and failure of the pilot to use carburetor heat, which resulted in loss of engine power. Factors relating to the accident were: carburetor icing conditions, darkness, and the lack of suitable terrain for a forced 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 150 Safety Record

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