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 18, 1994	OPA-LOCKA, FL	N89515	Incident	substantial	THE STUDENT PILOTS FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE CHECKLIST AND ASSURE THE DOOR WAS CLOSED PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE STUDENT'S DIV… THE STUDENT PILOTS FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE CHECKLIST AND ASSURE THE DOOR WAS CLOSED PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE STUDENT'S DIVERTED ATTENTION DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL.
Dec 11, 1994	OKLAHOMA CITY, OK	N24350	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING. FACTORS WERE THE IMPROPER FLARE AND THE RESULTANT LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.
Dec 09, 1994	MANKATO, MN	N6445P	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of total experienc… the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of total experience.
Nov 22, 1994	INDIANTOWN, FL	N67390	Incident	substantial	AN EVASIVE MANEUVER TO AVOID COLLISION WITH ANIMALS.
Nov 16, 1994	BOULDER, CO	N6386L	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.
Nov 02, 1994	ROCK HILL, SC	N48720	Incident	substantial	THE STUDENT PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM OBSTACLES.
Oct 27, 1994	LA VERNE, CA	N64851	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's poor recovery from a bounced landing and improper use of the elevator control. The lack of total experience is a factor in this a… the student pilot's poor recovery from a bounced landing and improper use of the elevator control. The lack of total experience is a factor in this accident.
Oct 10, 1994	BLOOMINGTON, IL	N69187	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while landing. Factors associated with the accident were the improper landing flare and the pilot's … The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while landing. Factors associated with the accident were the improper landing flare and the pilot's lack of total experience.
Oct 03, 1994	GREENWOOD, MS	N65454	Incident	substantial	THE STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION CONCERNING THE SELECTION/APPROACH/EXECUTION OF THE EMERGENCY LANDING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT W… THE STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION CONCERNING THE SELECTION/APPROACH/EXECUTION OF THE EMERGENCY LANDING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE, HIS BECOMING LOST/DISORIENTED, THE LIGHT CONDITIONS AT DUSK, AND THE PROXIMITY OF TREES TO THE SELECTED EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.
Sep 30, 1994	FORT WORTH, TX	N46872	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.
Sep 24, 1994	FALLBROOK, CA	N89546	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.
Sep 21, 1994	PLAINWELL, MI	N67324	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of total e… the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of total experience.
Sep 21, 1994	PETALUMA, CA	N6208B	Incident	substantial	the failure of the pilot to initiate a go-around after failing to obtain the proper airspeed and rate of descent during the approach.
Sep 21, 1994	LINDEN, TN	N5525P	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE RUDDER WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.
Sep 14, 1994	DECATUR, IN	N89897	Incident	substantial	the pilot-in-command's failure to maintain a proper altitude and his inadequate visual outlook. A factor was the tower.
Sep 07, 1994	OSTEEN, FL	N48938	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S DECISION TO LAND WITH EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED, AND FAILURE TO OBTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT DURING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. THE … THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S DECISION TO LAND WITH EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED, AND FAILURE TO OBTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT DURING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. THE ELECTRICAL SHORT WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.
Aug 31, 1994	HEADLAND, AL	N64903	Incident	substantial	The failure of the student pilot to maintain control of the aircraft during a crosswind landing.
Aug 29, 1994	ARKADELPHIA, AR	N44687	Incident	substantial	LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
Aug 27, 1994	W. COLUMBIA, SC	N94194	Incident	substantial	THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY FLARE THE AIRCRAFT, RESULTING IN A HARD LANDING.
Aug 23, 1994	OSTEEN, FL	N6088H	Incident	substantial	ENGINE POWER LOSS DUE TO BLOCKAGE OF THE CARBURETOR FUEL DISCHARGE NOZZLE PICKUP BY AN INSECT THAT INADVERTENTLY ENTERED THE CARBURETOR DURING OVERHAU… ENGINE POWER LOSS DUE TO BLOCKAGE OF THE CARBURETOR FUEL DISCHARGE NOZZLE PICKUP BY AN INSECT THAT INADVERTENTLY ENTERED THE CARBURETOR DURING OVERHAUL RESULTING IN FUEL STARVATION.
Aug 19, 1994	ARCADIA, FL	N757WM	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS. THE GUSTY, CROSSWIND WAS A FACTOR.
Jul 29, 1994	PALATKA, FL	N757GD	Incident	substantial	THE STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER LANDING FLARE AND FAILURE TO PROPERLY RECOVER FROM A BOUNCED LANDING.
Jul 27, 1994	BUNNELL, FL	N68165	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT. THE CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS WERE A FACTOR.
Jul 12, 1994	LIVERMORE, CA	N5351L	Incident	substantial	the student's misjudged landing flare and improper bounced landing recovery.
Jul 11, 1994	THERMAL, CA	N93839	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain proper runway alignment by failing to properly compensate for the surface wind conditions. The crosswind and the loo… The pilot's failure to maintain proper runway alignment by failing to properly compensate for the surface wind conditions. The crosswind and the loose dirt were factors in this accident.

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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