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 21, 1996 PHOENIX, AZ N96049 Incident substantial
the student pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in an inadvertent porpoise and subsequent overload fai…

the student pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in an inadvertent porpoise and subsequent overload failure of the nose gear.

Dec 15, 1996 BALTIMORE, MD N714YW Incident substantial
the student pilot's premature rotation and inadequate supervision by the flight instructor (CFI), which resulted in failure of the flight crew to obta…

the student pilot's premature rotation and inadequate supervision by the flight instructor (CFI), which resulted in failure of the flight crew to obtain adequate airspeed during takeoff for a proper rate of climb. Trees at the departure end of the runway were a related factor.

Dec 11, 1996 MANSFIELD, MA N68180 Incident substantial
the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the airplane veering into a snowbank. The prox…

the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the airplane veering into a snowbank. The proximity of the snowbank was a related factor.

Nov 23, 1996 REDLANDS, CA N6096Q Incident substantial the pilot's improper landing flare and recovery from a subsequent bounced landing.
Nov 20, 1996 SALT LAKE CITY, UT N4713Q Incident substantial
the student pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision, which allowed his aircraft to encounter wake turbulence from a Lear Jet, and/or the student …

the student pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision, which allowed his aircraft to encounter wake turbulence from a Lear Jet, and/or the student allowed the aircraft to stall. The crosswind component from the quartering headwind was a possible factor.

Oct 25, 1996 MACON, GA N757CU Incident substantial premature flare by the dual student, and his improper remedial action to correct the flare; and inadequate supervision by the flight instructor (CFI).
Oct 17, 1996 IMPERIAL, CA N48728 Incident substantial
the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout, which resulted in a ground swerve. Soft terrain on the shoulder of…

the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout, which resulted in a ground swerve. Soft terrain on the shoulder of the runway was a related factor.

Oct 06, 1996 MANSFIELD, MA N25589 Incident substantial
failure of the T-6 pilot to maintain clearance from the Cessna 152, as he turned off the runway after landing. A factor relating to the accident was:…

failure of the T-6 pilot to maintain clearance from the Cessna 152, as he turned off the runway after landing. A factor relating to the accident was: the T-6 pilot's restricted view of the Cessna 152 (lack of visual detection), due to a blind spot beyond the nose of his airplane.

Oct 04, 1996 HARTSVILLE, SC N94526 Incident substantial
The student pilot's failure to maintain airspeed (VSO) during a go-around resulting in an inadvertent stall, and subsequent in-flight collision with t…

The student pilot's failure to maintain airspeed (VSO) during a go-around resulting in an inadvertent stall, and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain and nose over.

Oct 04, 1996 COLORADO SPGS, CO N25772 Incident substantial
the student pilot attempting to exit the runway onto a taxiway at excessive speed. A factor was the pilot's failure to land the aircraft in the prope…

the student pilot attempting to exit the runway onto a taxiway at excessive speed. A factor was the pilot's failure to land the aircraft in the proper touchdown zone.

Sep 18, 1996 FRESNO, CA N94381 Incident substantial A separation of a connecting rod due to a lack of internal lubrication from a blocked oil passage after a bearing had shifted on its journal.
Sep 17, 1996 LAKEVILLE, MN N757PC Incident substantial the student pilot misjudged the landing flare which resulted in the hard landing.
Sep 16, 1996 SAN CARLOS, AZ N5120H Incident substantial
the pilot's decision to attempt a takeoff with the runway lights inoperative, and his failure to maintain runway alignment during an aborted takeoff, …

the pilot's decision to attempt a takeoff with the runway lights inoperative, and his failure to maintain runway alignment during an aborted takeoff, after failure of the landing light. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, inoperative runway lights, failure of the landing light, and the encounter with soft terrain.

Sep 03, 1996 STUART, FL N93102 Incident substantial
The student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, resulting in a loss of directional control, collapse of the nose gear, and subsequent no…

The student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, resulting in a loss of directional control, collapse of the nose gear, and subsequent nose down on the runway.

Aug 25, 1996 ROME, NY N45949 Incident substantial The pilot's improper decision to take off on a runway of insufficient length, and his failure to obtain adequate airspeed.
Aug 24, 1996 WAYCROSS, GA N4982A Incident substantial The student pilot's improper flare and recovery from a bounced landing.
Aug 17, 1996 SPRING, TX N89032 Incident substantial
failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during a touch-and-go, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve, an encount…

failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during a touch-and-go, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve, an encounter with soft terrain, and a nose over of the airplane.

Aug 15, 1996 LANTANA, FL N89405 Incident substantial the pilot misjudged the flare, resulting in a hard landing, and the nose gear collapsing.
Aug 10, 1996 WORCESTER, MA N5431Q Incident substantial
the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and his failure to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in a nose over. His improp…

the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and his failure to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in a nose over. His improper flare was a related factor.

Jul 28, 1996 CASTINE, ME N65530 Incident substantial
the pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power, due to an inadequate supply of fuel. Factors rela…

the pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power, due to an inadequate supply of fuel. Factors relating to the accident were: false indication from the fuel quantity gauge, and soft terrain in the emergency landing area.

Jul 17, 1996 TROY, AL N6481L Incident substantial
fuel contamination, which resulted in loss of engine power, a forced landing, and impact with trees. A factor relating to the accident was: inadequat…

fuel contamination, which resulted in loss of engine power, a forced landing, and impact with trees. A factor relating to the accident was: inadequate maintenance and/or inspection after the previous loss of engine power and forced landing.

Jul 14, 1996 BLUE ASH, OH N6468Q Incident substantial failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane, while rolling to takeoff from a touch-and-go landing.
Jul 10, 1996 SALT LAKE CITY, UT N4897P Incident substantial
the student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed during go-around. The student pilot's imp…

the student pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed during go-around. The student pilot's improper level-off was a factor.

Jun 30, 1996 MANSFIELD, MA N48750 Incident substantial an animal (deer) that wandered onto the runway. The light condition (at dusk) was a related factor.
Jun 29, 1996 SANTA ROSA, CA N68459 Incident substantial the solo student pilot misjudged the landing flare resulting in a hard landing. A factor in the accident was low airspeed.
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.
← Cessna 152 For Sale All Cessna Models
Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data
View 59 Cessna 152 for sale ↓