Cessna 150J Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 231 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.

231

All Events

120

Incidents

51

Minor

22

Serious

38

Fatal (53 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Apr 22, 2023 Buffalo, IA N60860 Minor substantial
A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning. Contributing to the accident were the unreliab…

A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning. Contributing to the accident were the unreliable fuel quantity gauges and the improperly adjusted mixture control, which increased the fuel consumption above that anticipated by the owner’s manual.

Oct 18, 2017 Willmar, MN N50609 Minor substantial
The pilot’s improper conduct of the soft-field takeoff, which led to his failure to attain adequate airspeed, and the flight instructor’s subsequent i…

The pilot’s improper conduct of the soft-field takeoff, which led to his failure to attain adequate airspeed, and the flight instructor’s subsequent improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard, forced landing.

Mar 05, 2017 Argyle, NY N60939 Minor substantial A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a forced landing and subsequent impact with trees.
Jul 09, 2015 Renton, WA N12MM Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic …

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall/spin.

Dec 05, 2014 Brookline, NH N50709 Minor substantial
The student pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a wire during an off-airport landing following a partial loss of engine power for reasons that …

The student pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a wire during an off-airport landing following a partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined during postaccident examination.

Sep 22, 2014 Brookfield, WI N50889 Minor substantial The pilot's inadequate maintenance and preflight of the airplane which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to oil starvation.
Jul 13, 2011 Wheatland, WY N60060 Minor substantial
The pilot's inadequate fuel consumption calculations, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident wa…

The pilot's inadequate fuel consumption calculations, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to continue flight with known equipment deficiencies.

Aug 22, 2009 Fairmount, GA N61022 Minor substantial A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of a contaminated fuel strainer.
Aug 31, 2008 Spring Grove, IL N50753 Minor substantial
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and his failure to maintain clearance from the trees. Contributing factors were the trees and the high dens…

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and his failure to maintain clearance from the trees. Contributing factors were the trees and the high density altitude.

Jul 04, 2008 Seal Beach, CA N60486 Minor substantial
Fuel starvation due to the pilot's improper fuel management procedures and failure to select a tank containing fuel. Contributing to the accident was…

Fuel starvation due to the pilot's improper fuel management procedures and failure to select a tank containing fuel. Contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Apr 29, 2007 Amery, WI N50486 Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the aborted landing attempt which resulted in the airplane impacting trees. A misjudged…

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the aborted landing attempt which resulted in the airplane impacting trees. A misjudged flare, subsequent bounced landing, and gusty wind conditions were contributing factors.

Jul 26, 2006 Napa, CA N60816 Minor substantial
a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. The fuel starvation was the result of the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation (failure to refuel …

a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. The fuel starvation was the result of the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation (failure to refuel the airplane before taking off) and his inadequate in-flight decision (to make right turns while holding) that directly led to an unporting of the right fuel tank.

Dec 08, 2004 Amado, AZ N60469 Minor substantial the pilot's inaccurate fuel consumption calculations and failure to refuel the airplane at the intermediate stop, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.
Aug 23, 2003 Fennimore, WI N61134 Minor substantial
The loss of engine power in cruise flight due to carburetor icing. A factor was the unsuitable terrain the pilot encountered during his forced landin…

The loss of engine power in cruise flight due to carburetor icing. A factor was the unsuitable terrain the pilot encountered during his forced landing.

Jun 14, 2001 West Mifflin, PA N61138 Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while picking up a banner, and subsequent delay in releasing the banner, resulting in a stall/mush.
May 05, 2001 Osceola Mills, PA N51104 Minor substantial A partial power loss due to a stuck exhaust valve in the # 2 cylinder, which resulted in a forced landing. A factor was the rising terrain.
Feb 01, 2001 Concord, NC N60336 Minor substantial The pilots failure to follow the auxiliary fuel tank procedures, which resulted in the fuel starvation and the loss of engine power.
Jul 10, 2000 SPANISH FORK, UT N50812 Minor destroyed The pilot in command's failure to maintain aircraft directional control.
Aug 08, 1999 CYPRESS, TX N60784 Minor substantial The flight instructor's failure to maintain/obtain airspeed during takeoff climb, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush.
May 01, 1999 SENECA, SC N50943 Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall and subsequent impact with trees.
Aug 07, 1998 BELEN, NM N60564 Minor substantial
The pilot's improper preflight in that he failed to drain the water from the fuel sumps. Factors were water contamination in the fuel tank and a sand…

The pilot's improper preflight in that he failed to drain the water from the fuel sumps. Factors were water contamination in the fuel tank and a sand bar.

Apr 06, 1997 MIAMI, FL N50918 Minor substantial
The student pilot's inadequate preflight planning and improper fuel consumption calculations which resulted in fuel exhaustion. A factor was the lack …

The student pilot's inadequate preflight planning and improper fuel consumption calculations which resulted in fuel exhaustion. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Jul 07, 1996 CHINO, CA N50814 Minor substantial
Fuel starvation due to the pilot's failure to monitor and correctly configure the fuel system for landing prior to entering the traffic pattern, and t…

Fuel starvation due to the pilot's failure to monitor and correctly configure the fuel system for landing prior to entering the traffic pattern, and the pilot's premature lowering of full flaps which led to the runway undershoot. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the type of operation and in this highly modified aircraft.

Jan 06, 1996 NEW PORT RICHEY, FL N60647 Minor substantial
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, WHILE LANDING WITH A CROSSWIND, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND SWERVE. …

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, WHILE LANDING WITH A CROSSWIND, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND SWERVE. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT FLYING EXPERIENCE.

Apr 19, 1995 CASHMERE, WA N60886 Minor substantial LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS ROUGH TERRAIN.
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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Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data