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
Jun 27, 1995	FORT LAUDERDALE, FL	N25406	Incident	substantial	THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND [CFI] TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT DURING REDUCED POWER DESCENT.
Jun 27, 1995	NEW PORT RICHEY, FL	N69140	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT LANDED ON THE WRONG RUNWAY. THE TAILWIND CONTRIBUTED TO THE LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.
Jun 27, 1995	JULIETTE, GA	N5523B	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S OSTENTATIOUS DISPLAY, RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH THE WATER.
Jun 26, 1995	SARATOGA, WY	N5460B	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S IMPROPER HANDLING OF THE AIRPLANE DURING LANDING.
Jun 21, 1995	CRAIG, CO	N45936	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT BECAME LOST AND DISORIENTED, RESULTING IN FUEL EXHAUSTION. FACTORS WERE THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING AND THE OPERATION … THE PILOT BECAME LOST AND DISORIENTED, RESULTING IN FUEL EXHAUSTION. FACTORS WERE THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING AND THE OPERATION OF THE AIRCRAFT WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN EQUIPMENT.
Jun 06, 1995	BESSEMER, AL	N4625P	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a touch and go landing.
Jun 04, 1995	GUTHRIE, OK	N5134B	Incident	substantial	THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO WATER CONTAMINATION OF THE FUEL. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
May 01, 1995	WEST CHICAGO, IL	N47331	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. A factor was the crosswind.
Apr 19, 1995	OAKGROVE, AR	N49696	Incident	substantial	THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM POWER LINES WHILE MANEUVERING AT LOW ALTITUDE AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISIO… THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM POWER LINES WHILE MANEUVERING AT LOW ALTITUDE AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION. FACTOR'S WERE THE INSTRUCTOR'S DECISION TO ALLOW THE SIMULATION TO CONTINUE TO SUCH A LOW ALTITUDE AND LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR FORCED LANDING.
Apr 14, 1995	WEST PALM BEACH, FL	N4778B	Incident	substantial	THE FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION TO ATTEMPT A GO… THE FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION TO ATTEMPT A GO-AROUND.
Apr 08, 1995	FUQUAY-VARINA, NC	N25502	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS DURING LANDING, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.
Apr 07, 1995	LAUREL, MS	N714WW	Incident	substantial	THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO REFUEL THE AIRCRAFT RESULTING IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.
Apr 07, 1995	KOKOMO, IN	N757UV	Incident	substantial	The pilot misjudged the landing flare. Factors related to the accident were the dark light conditions and the pilot's lack of visual cues for the run… The pilot misjudged the landing flare. Factors related to the accident were the dark light conditions and the pilot's lack of visual cues for the runway environment.
Mar 25, 1995	ANCHORAGE, AK	N67563	Incident	substantial	A FAILURE OF THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT TO ADEQUATELY SUPERVISE THE STUDENT PILOT'S LANDING APPROACH. THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER ALTI… A FAILURE OF THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT TO ADEQUATELY SUPERVISE THE STUDENT PILOT'S LANDING APPROACH. THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER ALTITUDE AND DISTANCE TO THE RUNWAY TOUCH-DOWN POINT, AND A SNOW BERM AT THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.
Mar 11, 1995	NEW ROADS, LA	N89359	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S IMPROPER BOUNCED LANDING RECOVERY TECHNIQUE. FACTORS WERE HIS FAILURE TO EXECUTE A GO-AROUND, HIS IMPROPER LANDING FLARE, AND THE OTHER PI… THE PILOT'S IMPROPER BOUNCED LANDING RECOVERY TECHNIQUE. FACTORS WERE HIS FAILURE TO EXECUTE A GO-AROUND, HIS IMPROPER LANDING FLARE, AND THE OTHER PILOT'S PREMATURE TAXIING ONTO THE RUNWAY FOR TAKEOFF.
Mar 09, 1995	WAUKESHA, WI	N4598B	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted takeoff. A factor was the snow covered ground which contributed to the … the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted takeoff. A factor was the snow covered ground which contributed to the airplane nosing over as it departed the runway.
Feb 25, 1995	NORTH BERGEN, NJ	N6291P	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent loss of engine power.
Feb 23, 1995	BROOKWOOD, AL	N6470P	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO LEAN THE FUEL MIXTURE, STOP AT THE FIRST DESTINATION TO REFUEL, AND HIS INCORRECT FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS.
Feb 23, 1995	OWOSSO, MI	N757ZQ	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. A factor in the accident was the snow bank.
Feb 14, 1995	MOUNT SNOW, VT	N757SG	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind which resulted in the airplane drifting into a snow bank and nosing over.
Feb 07, 1995	VENICE, FL	N47183	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PERFORM A GO-AROUND AND FAILURE TO APPLY POWER TO RECOVER FROM THE BOUNCED LANDING.
Feb 07, 1995	BELMONT, NH	N6182P	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate preflight of the airplane that failed to detect the ice clogged breather which resulted in the loss of oil and a subsequent eme… The pilot's inadequate preflight of the airplane that failed to detect the ice clogged breather which resulted in the loss of oil and a subsequent emergency landing.
Jan 22, 1995	SEATTLE, WA	N6605P	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT MISJUDGING THE FLARE. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE TAILWIND.
Jan 05, 1995	SAN JOSE, CA	N25953	Incident	substantial	The improper supervision of the student pilot by the instructor by allowing the student to inadvertently pull the mixture control handle too far out c… The improper supervision of the student pilot by the instructor by allowing the student to inadvertently pull the mixture control handle too far out causing the engine to lose power. The wet terrain condition was a factor.
Dec 29, 1994	LEHI, UT	N24741	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE/CLEARANCE ABOVE THE TERRAIN. FACTORS INCLUDE THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY BECOMING LOST/DISORIENTED, HIS IMPROPER … THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE/CLEARANCE ABOVE THE TERRAIN. FACTORS INCLUDE THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY BECOMING LOST/DISORIENTED, HIS IMPROPER INFLIGHT DECISION TO ATTEMPT TO MANEUVER THROUGH UNFAMILIAR MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN TO HIS ORIGINAL DESTINATION, AND HIGH VEGETATION AT THE SITE OF THE PRECAUTIONARY 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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