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
Nov 01, 1997 BRIGHAM CITY, UT N7934F Incident substantial
failure of the pilot to maintain lateral (or vertical) clearance from a tree, during takeoff. Related factors were: the tree, and the pilot's imprope…

failure of the pilot to maintain lateral (or vertical) clearance from a tree, during takeoff. Related factors were: the tree, and the pilot's improper use of flaps.

Oct 29, 1997 SAN ANTONIO, TX N9182U Incident substantial
inadequate service provided by the ground controller, by clearing the Boeing 727 to taxi after the Cessna 150 was cleared to taxi behind the 727, whic…

inadequate service provided by the ground controller, by clearing the Boeing 727 to taxi after the Cessna 150 was cleared to taxi behind the 727, which led to a wake turbulence (jet exhaust) encounter and damage to the Cessna 150.

Oct 20, 1997 DEMING, NM N6206K Fatal (1) destroyed The loss of engine power due to fuel contamination. Contributing was unsuitable terrain consisting of high vegetation and sand.
Oct 19, 1997 TYLER, TX N3916J Incident substantial
The failure of the of pilot of the departing Cessna to follow standard departure procedures and his disorientation while navigating to locate a highwa…

The failure of the of pilot of the departing Cessna to follow standard departure procedures and his disorientation while navigating to locate a highway. A factor was the failure of both pilots to maintain visual lookout.

Oct 19, 1997 MIAMI, FL N7814U Minor substantial excessive wear to the number one valve stem and valve stem keepers that resulted in the separation of the valve assembly.
Oct 13, 1997 TEMPLE BAR, AZ N71VL Incident substantial
the pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power. A factor relating to the accident was: the terrai…

the pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power. A factor relating to the accident was: the terrain condition (ditch) in the emergency landing area.

Oct 02, 1997 GEORGETOWN, DE N63235 Minor substantial The student pilot's improper recovery from the bounced landing and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action.
Sep 24, 1997 FOREST, VA N4748X Incident substantial
the pilot's movement of the mixture control to the idle cut-off position, during an approach to land, which resulted in a loss of engine power and a f…

the pilot's movement of the mixture control to the idle cut-off position, during an approach to land, which resulted in a loss of engine power and a forced landing before reaching the runway.

Sep 21, 1997 EASTON, NY N6865G Serious (1) substantial
mechanical binding of the number three exhaust valve, and the pilot/owner's improper planning/decision by failing to ensure the engine was operating p…

mechanical binding of the number three exhaust valve, and the pilot/owner's improper planning/decision by failing to ensure the engine was operating properly before takeoff. A related factor was: the pilot/owner's failure to ensure that annual maintenance was performed.

Sep 13, 1997 SALEM, IL N66547 Incident substantial the student pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Sep 12, 1997 HILO, HI N18503 Serious (1) substantial
failure of the pilot to verify the quantity of fuel before departure, and to monitor fuel consumption during the flight, which led to fuel exhaustion,…

failure of the pilot to verify the quantity of fuel before departure, and to monitor fuel consumption during the flight, which led to fuel exhaustion, loss of engine power, and a forced landing. Tall grass in the emergency landing was a related factor.

Sep 06, 1997 KENLY, NC N6898F Minor substantial The pilot's failure to see and avoid a utility line on final approach to land. The sunglare and utility line were factors.
Sep 02, 1997 YAKUTAT, AK N467SR Incident substantial A partial blockage of the main fuel supply line to the engine, caused by improper manufacture of the fuel line by unknown maintenance personnel.
Aug 31, 1997 ROMEO, MI N60200 Incident substantial
the pilot's improper use of carburetor heat, which resulted in carburetor ice and loss of engine power. Factors relating to the accident were: carbur…

the pilot's improper use of carburetor heat, which resulted in carburetor ice and loss of engine power. Factors relating to the accident were: carburetor icing conditions, and the crop (corn) in the emergency landing area.

Aug 28, 1997 BENTON, KS N704TL Incident substantial
the flight instructor's (CFI') improper in-flight planning/decision, which led to fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power before the airplane was saf…

the flight instructor's (CFI') improper in-flight planning/decision, which led to fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power before the airplane was safely landed.

Aug 16, 1997 WESTFIELD, MA N16040 Serious (2) substantial The pilot's inadequate preflight preparation which fail to include a weight and balance check and his subsequent failure to maintain aircraft control.
Aug 10, 1997 LOS ALAMOS, NM N22286 Serious (1) substantial The fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's failure to refuel. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Aug 09, 1997 PALOS VERDES, CA N3084S Incident substantial Loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and the pilot's mismanagement of the aircraft's fuel supply.
Aug 08, 1997 STANLEY, ID N704AA Incident substantial The pilot's failure to attain rotation speed. The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and rough runway conditions were factors.
Aug 02, 1997 LEE'S SUMMIT, MO N66116 Incident destroyed
the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation, and his failure to ensure that the airplane remained clear of obstrictions (trees). Factors as…

the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation, and his failure to ensure that the airplane remained clear of obstrictions (trees). Factors associated with the accident were: the short runway/takeoff area, and the proximity of trees.

Aug 02, 1997 COLUMBIA, SC N3517J Minor substantial
The improper rebuild/remanufacture of the fuel line (obstructed at both ends) that runs between the carburetor and sediment bowl by an unknown person.…

The improper rebuild/remanufacture of the fuel line (obstructed at both ends) that runs between the carburetor and sediment bowl by an unknown person. This resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, forced landing to non-suitable terrain, and an in-flight collision with a nonresidential building.

Jul 30, 1997 OCEAN CITY, NJ N63056 Incident substantial Inadequate compensation for the crosswind, and failure to maintain control of the airplane. A related factor was the crosswind.
Jul 25, 1997 FORT COLLINS, CO N4228U Serious (2) substantial
Inadequate preflight planning by loading the aircraft over the maximum certificated gross weight, failure to follow procedures and directives by using…

Inadequate preflight planning by loading the aircraft over the maximum certificated gross weight, failure to follow procedures and directives by using flaps for takeoff and failing to properly lean the engine for optimum power, and stalling the aircraft. Factors were: Poor judgement by the pilot in operating the aircraft without a current annual inspection, for forging his medical certificate, and failing to obtain and use the proper Owner's Manual for the aircraft. Also, factors were insufficient requirements for the Owner's Manual by the FAA and inadequate aircraft manual information by the manufacturer.

Jul 22, 1997 PORTLAND, TN N10744 Serious (1) substantial The pilot's attempt to perform a short field takeoff in unsuitable terrain. A related factor was the pilot's desire to impress his co-workers.
Jul 12, 1997 GARY, IN N8197S Fatal (1) destroyed the pilot's not obtaining/maintaining airspeed which resulted in a stall.
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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