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 30, 1995	HUDSON, OH	N47316	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a loss of engine power due to an inadequate supply of fue… the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a loss of engine power due to an inadequate supply of fuel. Factors relating to the accident were: false fuel quantity indication from the left fuel quantity gauge, and swampy terrain in the emergency landing area.
Dec 27, 1995	LONG BEACH, CA	N53321	Incident	substantial	a partial power loss due to carburetor icing resulting from existing environmental conditions and the pilot's failure to apply carburetor heat during … a partial power loss due to carburetor icing resulting from existing environmental conditions and the pilot's failure to apply carburetor heat during descent.
Dec 26, 1995	COMPTON, CA	N6110Q	Minor	destroyed	a push rod failed from fatigue as a result of longitudinal stress corrosion cracking.
Dec 14, 1995	MACON, GA	N48959	Serious (1)	substantial	THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO ASSURE AN ADEQUATE AMOUNT OF FUEL WAS AVAILABLE FOR THE FLIGHT.
Dec 12, 1995	CHIMACUM, WA	N5366M	Incident	substantial	the pilot-in-command's delayed application of carburetor heat which resulted in a power loss due to carburetor ice. Carburetor icing conditions, a sho… the pilot-in-command's delayed application of carburetor heat which resulted in a power loss due to carburetor ice. Carburetor icing conditions, a short takeoff area, and a ditch at the end of the airstrip were factors.
Dec 03, 1995	RUSH TOWNSHIP, PA	N67369	Fatal (1)	destroyed	the pilot's continued flight into adverse weather conditions which resulted in becoming lost and disorientated and subsequent impact with rising terra… the pilot's continued flight into adverse weather conditions which resulted in becoming lost and disorientated and subsequent impact with rising terrain. Factors in this accident were fog and a dark night.
Dec 02, 1995	STANTON, KY	N89188	Incident	substantial	was the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft. The student pilot's lack of experience was a related factor.
Nov 28, 1995	HAYWARD, CA	N6349M	Incident	destroyed	loss of engine power for an undetermined reason.
Nov 27, 1995	JACKSONVILLE, FL	N911MF	Incident	substantial	THE STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER LEVEL-OFF AND ELEVATOR CONTROL INPUT.
Nov 21, 1995	PROVO, UT	N6392Q	Fatal (1)	destroyed	pilot suicide (intentional in-flight collision with rising terrain). A factor relating to the accident was: pilot anxiety/apprehension.
Nov 01, 1995	MARIETTA, OK	N49131	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. A factor was the wet grass runway.
Oct 19, 1995	MOBILE, AZ	N5321P	Incident	substantial	a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Oct 14, 1995	EASTMAN, GA	N33LU	Minor	destroyed	THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO PERFORM FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS, AND THE DECISION NOT TO REFUEL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS FUEL E… THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO PERFORM FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS, AND THE DECISION NOT TO REFUEL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS FUEL EXHAUSTION, AND THE PILOT- IN-COMMAND'S DECISION TO OPERATE THE AIRPLANE WITH THE FUEL GAUGES INOPERATIVE.
Oct 09, 1995	TROY, MI	N6469P	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing. A factor associated with the accident was the quartering tailwind condition and the pilot's s… the pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing. A factor associated with the accident was the quartering tailwind condition and the pilot's selection of the wrong runway on which to land.
Oct 07, 1995	LOGAN, UT	N25478	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION.
Oct 01, 1995	SANTA ANA, CA	N68225	Incident	substantial	the second pilot's failure to maintain directional control and the first pilot's improper supervision of the flight.
Sep 02, 1995	ROANOKE, VA	N211SP	Minor	destroyed	THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION, WHICH RESULTED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:… THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION, WHICH RESULTED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PLANNING/PREPARATION, HER LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRPLANE, AND SOFT TERRAIN IN THE FORCED LANDING AREA.
Aug 30, 1995	MARTINSBURG, WV	N68969	Minor	substantial	the student pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing/aborted landing sequence. A related factor is the student pilot's … the student pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing/aborted landing sequence. A related factor is the student pilot's lack of total flight experience.
Aug 25, 1995	ORSON, PA	N6391M	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper planning/decision, and his delay in aborting the takeoff, which resulted in a collision with a pile of dirt and shrubs. The upsl… The pilot's improper planning/decision, and his delay in aborting the takeoff, which resulted in a collision with a pile of dirt and shrubs. The upsloping terrain (for takeoff) was a factor.
Aug 24, 1995	LUMBERTON, MS	N89694	Incident	substantial	THE FAILURE OF THE LANDING GEAR, STEERING SYSTEM (ROD END BOLT) DUE TO A BENDING OVERSTRESS SEPARATION WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.
Aug 23, 1995	YPSILANTI, MI	N94891	Incident	substantial	the pilot misjudged the flare. Lack of total experience was a factor.
Aug 19, 1995	BRISTOW, OK	N95654	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE. A FACTOR WAS THE FENCE AT THE END OF THE AIRSTRIP.
Aug 10, 1995	CAMARILLO, CA	N757EL	Incident	substantial	The failure of the landing gear strut due to fatigue.
Aug 07, 1995	SPRING HILL, FL	N67597	Incident	substantial	The pilot's premature decision to perform a precautionary landing. Contributing to the accident was partial loss of engine power due to failure of one… The pilot's premature decision to perform a precautionary landing. Contributing to the accident was partial loss of engine power due to failure of one of the two magnetos.
Aug 01, 1995	SANFORD, FL	N7348B	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff portion of a touch and go 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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