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
Aug 18, 1999	OMAHA, NE	N869NE	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's improper use of elevator control during the landing roll.
Aug 17, 1999	KENNEWICK, WA	N6148Q	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's inadequate compensation for gusty wind conditions. A contributing factor was gusty winds.
Aug 17, 1999	OCALA, FL	N5416M	Incident	substantial	A misjudged flare and the failure of the student pilot to use the proper recovery technique for a bounced landing, allowing the airplane to commence a… A misjudged flare and the failure of the student pilot to use the proper recovery technique for a bounced landing, allowing the airplane to commence a porpoise, and the eventual collapse of the nose landing gear.
Aug 14, 1999	BUCKEYE, AZ	N49100	Incident	destroyed	fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's inaccurate fuel consumption calculations used in flight planning.
Aug 10, 1999	SALT LAKE CITY, UT	N89186	Incident	substantial	An inadvertent collision with a bird.
Aug 10, 1999	LAWRENCEVILLE, GA	N67914	Incident	substantial	The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during takeoff from a touch and go landing resulting in the aircraft traveling off the runway… The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during takeoff from a touch and go landing resulting in the aircraft traveling off the runway, colliding with taxiway lights and a taxiway sign, collapsing the nose landing gear, and nosing down.
Aug 03, 1999	KENAI, AK	N95031	Incident	substantial	The loss of control due to wake turbulence, and the issuance of an improper takeoff clearance by air traffic control personnel. A factor associated w… The loss of control due to wake turbulence, and the issuance of an improper takeoff clearance by air traffic control personnel. A factor associated with the accident was air traffic control personnel's failure to issue a safety advisory.
Jul 26, 1999	SUPERIOR, WI	N68268	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors associated with the accident were the gusty wind condition, the … the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. Factors associated with the accident were the gusty wind condition, the student's lack of experience, and the soft terrain encountered.
Jul 23, 1999	BERRIEN SPRINGS, MI	N95534	Incident	substantial	Failure to obtain a proper climb rate and the delayed remedial action by the certified flight instructor. Contributing factors were the uphill terrai… Failure to obtain a proper climb rate and the delayed remedial action by the certified flight instructor. Contributing factors were the uphill terrain and trees.
Jul 21, 1999	FRISCO, TX	N5144L	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the simulated soft field takeoff.
Jul 07, 1999	STOW, OH	N95435	Incident	substantial	Was the failure of the flight instructor to recognize the high sink rate and apply corrective action in a timely manner.
May 25, 1999	MARIETTA, OK	N89854	Incident	substantial	The pilot's loss of control due to his improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Apr 21, 1999	WALL, NJ	N48005	Incident	substantial	The pilot in command's improper preflight preparation, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and subsequent loss of engine power.
Apr 18, 1999	FAIRFIELD, NJ	N24707	Incident	substantial	was the pilot's inadequate compensation for winds and his improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Mar 10, 1999	SOUTH ST. PAUL, MN	N89084	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff. Factors associated with the accident were the student's l… the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff. Factors associated with the accident were the student's lack of experience and the snowbank.
Feb 25, 1999	MELBOURNE, FL	N49407	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. A related factor was the pilot's diverted attention.
Feb 08, 1999	SANFORD, NC	N6294M	Incident	substantial	The student pilots failure to maintain directional control during an attempted touch and go landing. This resulted in the airplane veering off the lef… The student pilots failure to maintain directional control during an attempted touch and go landing. This resulted in the airplane veering off the left side of the runway, and subsequent on-ground collision with a ditch and nosed over inverted..
Jan 25, 1999	LAKE ELMO, MN	N752AA	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. Factors associated with the accident were the sn… the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. Factors associated with the accident were the snow covered, icy runway condition and the snowbank which the airplane contacted.
Jan 21, 1999	PHOENIX, AZ	N96640	Incident	substantial	The CFI's loss of airplane control upon encountering a dust devil due to his improper in-flight decision to land in proximity to the observed adverse … The CFI's loss of airplane control upon encountering a dust devil due to his improper in-flight decision to land in proximity to the observed adverse weather conditions.
Jan 09, 1999	LANSING, IL	N25787	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain proper runway alignment during the landing flare. A factor related to the accident was the snowbank which the airplan… the pilot's failure to maintain proper runway alignment during the landing flare. A factor related to the accident was the snowbank which the airplane contacted.
Dec 31, 1998	BOWIE, TX	N46285	Incident	substantial	The hard landing due to the flight instructor's delayed remedial action to take control of the airplane when the engine lost power. Factors were the … The hard landing due to the flight instructor's delayed remedial action to take control of the airplane when the engine lost power. Factors were the loss of engine power for an undetermined reason, and the rough and uneven terrain.
Dec 27, 1998	URBANA, IL	N5527L	Incident	substantial	the student pilot not maintaining the proper descent rate on final approach, and the certified flight instructor's delayed remedial action.
Dec 26, 1998	APPLETON, WI	N6136Q	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. A related factor was the crosswind.
Dec 14, 1998	SHELBYVILLE, TN	N5144B	Incident	substantial	Water contamination of the fuel supply, resulting from the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection.
Dec 10, 1998	EVANSVILLE, IN	N25493	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's inability to gain clearance between the airplane and the hanger. Factors contributing to this accident were the wet, grass landin… the student pilot's inability to gain clearance between the airplane and the hanger. Factors contributing to this accident were the wet, grass landing surface, the student pilot's attempted turn to avoid the embankment drop off at the end of the runway, the embankment and the hangar.

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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