How many accidents has the Cessna 152 had?

The NTSB has recorded 2435 events involving the Cessna 152: 255 fatal, 130 serious, 326 minor injuries, and 1714 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Cessna 152 a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Cessna 152 has 2435 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Cessna 152 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 2435 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.

2435

All Events

1714

Incidents

326

Minor

130

Serious

255

Fatal (386 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Nov 06, 2004	Rocky Mount, NC	N49196	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper landing flare, and improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Oct 28, 2004	Santa Teresa, NM	N5290B	Incident	substantial	the student pilot' failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's failure to ab… the student pilot' failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's failure to abort the takeoff.
Oct 26, 2004	Imperial, CA	N4734B	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout, which resulted in the airplane veering off of the runway surfa… the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout, which resulted in the airplane veering off of the runway surface and nosing over.
Oct 17, 2004	Pacoima, CA	N5272H	Incident	substantial	the pilot's misjudged distance/altitude and inadequate flare that resulted in a hard landing, and a porpoise down the runway. Also causal was the stu… the pilot's misjudged distance/altitude and inadequate flare that resulted in a hard landing, and a porpoise down the runway. Also causal was the student pilot's improper bounced landing recovery technique.
Oct 04, 2004	San Jose, CA	N24373	Incident	substantial	an in-flight collision with a bird.
Sep 27, 2004	Friday Harbor, WA	N757RD	Incident	substantial	The pilot's delay in executing an aborted landing and his failure to obtain altitude/clearance from trees during the aborted landing. A factor was th… The pilot's delay in executing an aborted landing and his failure to obtain altitude/clearance from trees during the aborted landing. A factor was the pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point as a result of his high airspeed on approach.
Sep 26, 2004	Dayton, OH	N67520	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's inadequate preflight and in-flight planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during cruise flight, due to fuel exha… The student pilot's inadequate preflight and in-flight planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power during cruise flight, due to fuel exhaustion.
Sep 01, 2004	Waycross, GA	N89255	Incident	substantial	The pilot misjudged the approach speed to touchdown, and the hydroplaning of the airplane during the landing roll resulted in the overrun of the runwa… The pilot misjudged the approach speed to touchdown, and the hydroplaning of the airplane during the landing roll resulted in the overrun of the runway surface and the subsequent collision with a fence. .
Aug 03, 2004	Sarasota, FL	N218JA	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's incorrect recovery following a bounced landing resulting in a hard landing and collapse of the nose landing gear.
Jun 09, 2004	Elyria, OH	N802MC	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
May 06, 2004	Pottstown, PA	N94577	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action.
Mar 21, 2004	Greenville, KY	N4468V	Incident	substantial	The total loss of engine power due to a total loss of engine oil for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a forced landing and subsequent collision… The total loss of engine power due to a total loss of engine oil for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a forced landing and subsequent collision with trees.
Feb 24, 2004	Spencer, MA	N4669L	Incident	substantial	A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Feb 12, 2004	West Jordan, UT	N66952	Incident	substantial	the failure of the exhaust valve for the engine's number one cylinder, resulting in the exhaust valve/piston contact and the subsequent total loss of … the failure of the exhaust valve for the engine's number one cylinder, resulting in the exhaust valve/piston contact and the subsequent total loss of engine power. Contributing factors include the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing and the snow covered field.
Jan 11, 2004	San Diego, CA	N67844	Incident	substantial	the pilot's misjudgment of clearance from the vehicle while taxiing. A factor in the accident was the pilot's diverted attention.
Dec 20, 2003	Louisburg, NC	N93002	Incident	substantial	Other maintenance personnel's inadequate engine overhaul that resulted in engine case fretting and engine oil starvation.
Nov 15, 2003	Ormond Beach, FL	N24887	Incident	substantial	The student pilot improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a hard landing and damage to the airplane.
Sep 07, 2003	Franklin, VA	N4725B	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Sep 02, 2003	Pontiac, MI	N757GL	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's inadequate recovery from the bounced landing. Factors contributing to the accident were the variable crosswind, the misjudged fla… The student pilot's inadequate recovery from the bounced landing. Factors contributing to the accident were the variable crosswind, the misjudged flare that resulted in the bounced landing and the subsequent collapse of the nose landing gear.
Aug 30, 2003	Ocala, FL	N93193	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the airplane departing the runway, and impactin… the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the airplane departing the runway, and impacting with a ditch.
Aug 17, 2003	Hamilton, MT	N68281	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's improper flare which resulted in a hard landing. A factor was the improper recovery from the bounced landing.
Jul 14, 2003	Gaithersburg, MD	N49400	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted landing.
Jun 02, 2003	Owensville, MO	N68778	Incident	substantial	The pilots delayed attempt to perform an aborted takeoff and subsequent overrun. Contributing factors to the accident were the fence and the ditch.
Apr 13, 2003	Olive Branch, MS	N757AZ	Incident	substantial	The CFI's improper positioning of the fuel selector valve to the off position which resulted in fuel starvation and the subsequent loss of engine powe… The CFI's improper positioning of the fuel selector valve to the off position which resulted in fuel starvation and the subsequent loss of engine power.
Apr 07, 2003	Durant, OK	N116SS	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's improper landing flare resulting in a hard landing and his improper recovery procedures for a bounced 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 152 Safety Record

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