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
Dec 01, 1998	FORT WORTH, TX	N4755B	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's loss of directional control due to improper use of the rudder. A factor was the hilly terrain beyond the departure end of the runw… The student pilot's loss of directional control due to improper use of the rudder. A factor was the hilly terrain beyond the departure end of the runway.
Nov 15, 1998	CALDWELL, NJ	N89101	Incident	substantial	the student's pilot's inadequate climb and his failure to maintain adequate altitude and clearance. A related factor was the wind gusts.
Nov 12, 1998	CORAL SPRINGS, FL	N65611	Incident	substantial	The delay by the pilot to obtain proper assistance after becoming lost/disoriented resulting in total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Co… The delay by the pilot to obtain proper assistance after becoming lost/disoriented resulting in total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of total experience.
Nov 12, 1998	MIAMI, FL	N48013	Incident	substantial	The loss of engine power due to a connecting rod failure for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the unsuitable terrain encountere… The loss of engine power due to a connecting rod failure for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing.
Nov 03, 1998	TOMBALL, TX	N46887	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane.
Oct 27, 1998	CARTERSVILLE, GA	N48875	Incident	substantial	Failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control during landing resulting in the aircraft running off the left side of the runway and coll… Failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control during landing resulting in the aircraft running off the left side of the runway and colliding with a parked aircraft. Factors in the accident were his distraction while raising wing flaps during landing roll which delayed correction of a left drift and his continued holding of aft control wheel forces during landing roll.
Oct 25, 1998	OLIVE BRANCH, MS	N5139B	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control on takeoff, resulting in the airplane's excursion off the runway and collision with trees.
Oct 18, 1998	PALO ALTO, CA	N5550L	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain clearance between the airplane's wing and a parked fuel truck.
Sep 28, 1998	IC	N5275H	Incident	destroyed	Investigation pending
Sep 27, 1998	DURANGO, CO	N4568F	Incident	substantial	Improper maintenance by an unknown person and the subsequent throttle cable disconnect due to a castellated nut separation. Factors were the none sui… Improper maintenance by an unknown person and the subsequent throttle cable disconnect due to a castellated nut separation. Factors were the none suitable soft terrain for the forced landing, and the failure of the nose wheel landing gear during the landing roll.
Sep 26, 1998	OXFORD, CT	N89644	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper flare and inadequate recovery from a bounced landing. A factor was the pilot's lack of experience.
Sep 25, 1998	REIDSVILLE, NC	N152DD	Incident	substantial	The pilot's delay in the initiation of a go-around, and his failure to maintain obstacle (tree) clearance.
Sep 25, 1998	DANBURY, CT	N94784	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Sep 21, 1998	WEST LAFAYETTE, IN	N94286	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the touch and go takeoff.
Sep 17, 1998	ELLINGTON, CT	N307DW	Incident	substantial	Was the flight instructors lack of supervision over the student pilot's preflight inspection of the airplane, and which resulted in fuel exhaustion. … Was the flight instructors lack of supervision over the student pilot's preflight inspection of the airplane, and which resulted in fuel exhaustion. Factors were the night conditions and the soft terrain.
Aug 23, 1998	GARLAND, TX	N757KA	Incident	substantial	The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Aug 15, 1998	BEECHER, IL	N89648	Incident	substantial	Fuel exhaustion due to fuel mismanagement by the pilot-in-command. The rough terrain was a contributing factor.
Aug 03, 1998	NORMAN, OK	N93116	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's delayed landing flare resulting in a hard landing and his improper recovery procedures for a bounced landing.
Aug 01, 1998	CULPEPER, VA	N89074	Incident	substantial	Failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. A related factor was wind gusts.
Jul 25, 1998	GREENVILLE, MI	N623AF	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's delay in performing the abort, and the instructor pilot's failure to take control of the airplane before passing the end of the ru… the student pilot's delay in performing the abort, and the instructor pilot's failure to take control of the airplane before passing the end of the runway. A factor contributing to this accident was the ditch.
Jul 20, 1998	PHILIPPI, WV	N69193	Incident	substantial	Was the failure of an exhaust valve. A factor in the accident was the unsuitable landing area encountered by the pilot.
Jul 14, 1998	MILTONFREEWATER, OR	N24823	Incident	substantial	The pilots failure to maintain proper terrain clearance. Factors contributing to the accident are high density altitude and rising terrain.
Jun 29, 1998	COLUMBIA, SC	N6363B	Incident	substantial	The pilot's delay in initiating a go-around, which resulted in an inflight collision with power lines.
Jun 28, 1998	POTTSTOWN, PA	N25858	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's excessive application of the right brake, resulting in a ground loop.
Jun 15, 1998	BOYD, TX	N6217Q	Incident	substantial	The loss of engine power due to the total loss of engine oil for undetermined reasons. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landi… The loss of engine power due to the total loss of engine oil for undetermined reasons. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced 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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