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
Oct 09, 2000	SHIRLEY, NY	N65671	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted landing.
Aug 21, 2000	WICHITA FALLS, TX	N4711L	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's delayed landing flare and failure to recover from the ensuing bounced landing.
Aug 19, 2000	CULPEPER, VA	N67495	Incident	substantial	The partial loss of power due to an inadequate annual inspection, which resulted in the throttle linkage becoming disconnected from the throttle.
Aug 18, 2000	Cumberland, WI	N5354M	Incident	substantial	the go-around not performed and the inadequate flare by the pilot.
Aug 17, 2000	NEW LONDON, MO	N757MF	Incident	substantial	the fuel exhaustion and inadequate preflight planning/preparation by the pilot.
Aug 05, 2000	ARTHUR, ND	N7385W	Incident	substantial	the water contamination found in the fuel and the pilot misjudging his altitude during the emergency procedure. A factor was the terrain condition of… the water contamination found in the fuel and the pilot misjudging his altitude during the emergency procedure. A factor was the terrain condition of the corn crop.
Jul 29, 2000	INDIANAPOLIS, IN	N93289	Incident	substantial	the non-pilot rated passenger's improper flare and not relinquishing the controls, and the pilot's inadequate remedial action and the pilot's poor dec… the non-pilot rated passenger's improper flare and not relinquishing the controls, and the pilot's inadequate remedial action and the pilot's poor decision to practice instruction with an unqualified pilot prior to becoming a Certified Flight Instructor.
Jul 15, 2000	SAN JOSE, CA	N67603	Incident	substantial	The pilot's in-flight decision to continue the takeoff and his subsequent delayed decision to abort the takeoff after he noted that the airplane was u… The pilot's in-flight decision to continue the takeoff and his subsequent delayed decision to abort the takeoff after he noted that the airplane was unable to climb out of ground effect.
Jul 13, 2000	PARK RIVER, ND	N69066	Incident	substantial	directional control not being maintained by the pilot during landing.
Jul 06, 2000	OAKLAND, CA	N6439M	Incident	substantial	failure of the instructor to adequately supervise the student, resulting in a loss of directional control.
Jul 03, 2000	BEVERLY, MA	N48858	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a loss of control.
Jul 02, 2000	LINCOLN, NE	N6432M	Incident	substantial	the misjudged flare and the inadequate recovery from the bounced landing performed by the student pilot.
Jul 01, 2000	WEST POINT, VA	N68910	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Jun 19, 2000	MCALLEN, TX	N94290	Incident	substantial	Loss of engine power for reasons undetermined. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Jun 17, 2000	MANKATO, MN	N6445P	Incident	substantial	the pilot performed inadequate remedial action to recover when the airplane ballooned during the landing flare. Factors associated with the accident w… the pilot performed inadequate remedial action to recover when the airplane ballooned during the landing flare. Factors associated with the accident were excessive airspeed during the landing and an improper landing flare.
Jun 14, 2000	LODI, CA	N67608	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inaccurate fuel consumption calculations, his misjudged in-flight planning, and his failure to flare during the landing attempt. A factor… The pilot's inaccurate fuel consumption calculations, his misjudged in-flight planning, and his failure to flare during the landing attempt. A factor was the pilot's improper preflight inspection when he refueled the airplane.
May 22, 2000	GOSHEN, IN	N68182	Incident	substantial	the failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control on the takeoff roll. Factors to the accident were the lack of experience of the stud… the failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control on the takeoff roll. Factors to the accident were the lack of experience of the student pilot and the improper use of the throttle.
May 15, 2000	BORREGO SPRINGS, CA	N25213	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind condition during initial takeoff climb, which resulted a failure to maintain alignment and the air… The pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind condition during initial takeoff climb, which resulted a failure to maintain alignment and the airplane drifting into a nearby tree.
May 04, 2000	SANFORD, FL	N92995	Incident	substantial	the dual student's improper visual lookout and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision that resulted in the airplane colliding with a fence pos… the dual student's improper visual lookout and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision that resulted in the airplane colliding with a fence post.
Apr 21, 2000	FRESNO, CA	N152SC	Incident	substantial	Fuel exhaustion during cruise flight due to the student pilot becoming disoriented and lost.
Apr 19, 2000	EUREKA, CA	N6251Q	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to compensate for a crosswind and to maintain directional control during landing.
Apr 04, 2000	MURFREESBORO, TN	N46912	Incident	destroyed	A loss of engine power during takeoff climb for undetermined reasons resulting in an attempted emergency landing to unsuitable terrain and collision w… A loss of engine power during takeoff climb for undetermined reasons resulting in an attempted emergency landing to unsuitable terrain and collision with a tree and transmission wires.
Mar 26, 2000	EDGEWATER, FL	N757JE	Incident	substantial	The partial loss of engine power due to undetermined reasons.
Mar 25, 2000	BUTLER, MO	N6375H	Incident	substantial	the certified flight instructor's improper use of the mixture control while demonstrating a simulated loss of engine power which resulted in fuel star… the certified flight instructor's improper use of the mixture control while demonstrating a simulated loss of engine power which resulted in fuel starvation. A factor associated with the accident was the rough terrain on which the forced landing was made.
Mar 15, 2000	NAPLES, FL	N569JH	Incident	substantial	the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the student pilot by allowing the student to fly in gusty wind conditions with excessive crosswinds … the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the student pilot by allowing the student to fly in gusty wind conditions with excessive crosswinds that resulting in the student pilot not maintaining control and nosing the aircraft over.

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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