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
Nov 13, 2016 Miami, FL N94292 Incident substantial
The loss of torque on the No. 3 connecting rod’s nuts, which resulted in the failure of the No. 3 connecting rod’s bolts and a subsequent total loss o…

The loss of torque on the No. 3 connecting rod’s nuts, which resulted in the failure of the No. 3 connecting rod’s bolts and a subsequent total loss of engine power due to the operator's maintenance personnel’s improper installation of the connecting rod nuts.

Oct 17, 2016 Miami, FL N46953 Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the aborted takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Oct 14, 2016 Chickaloon, AK N488E Incident substantial The flight instructor's delay in aborting the takeoff from a turf runway, which resulted in a runway overrun.
Aug 21, 2016 Miami, FL N94939 Incident substantial The pilot's improper pitch control during landing, which resulted in a bounced landing, and a nose landing gear collapse.
Aug 17, 2016 Belle Plaine, MN N631TK Incident substantial
The student pilot's improper pitch technique after rotation during a short field take off, which resulted in the right wing impacting the ground and a…

The student pilot's improper pitch technique after rotation during a short field take off, which resulted in the right wing impacting the ground and a nose gear collapse.

Aug 17, 2016 Newnan, GA N5250B Incident substantial
The student pilot's improper decision to land long and maintain excessive speed during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the student …

The student pilot's improper decision to land long and maintain excessive speed during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's decision to maintain full flaps and aft yoke inputs at a higher speed, reducing his ability to stop the airplane on the runway.

Aug 12, 2016 Hillsboro, OR N48440 Incident substantial The student pilot's improper pitch control during the landing flare, which resulted in a porpoise and substantial damage to the engine mount.
Aug 01, 2016 Scappoose, OR N49276 Incident substantial
The student pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing flare in gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing/abnorma…

The student pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing flare in gusty crosswind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing/abnormal runway contact, a partial nose wheel collapse and substantial damage to the firewall.

Jul 27, 2016 Denton, TX N4702P Incident substantial The student pilot's improper approach descent rate and landing flare attitude, which resulted in a hard landing and collapse of the nose landing gear.
Jul 08, 2016 Bridgeport, TX N5331B Incident substantial
The pilot's unstabilized approach and uneven braking due to insufficient runway remaining, which resulted in a loss of directional control during land…

The pilot's unstabilized approach and uneven braking due to insufficient runway remaining, which resulted in a loss of directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the bound flap jackscrew, which jammed the flaps and led to the pilot’s inability to operate the airplane normally.

Jul 01, 2016 Augusta, ME N4916B Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to compensate for the gusting wind conditions during a short-field landing and the designated pilot examiner's delayed remedial ac…

The pilot's failure to compensate for the gusting wind conditions during a short-field landing and the designated pilot examiner's delayed remedial action, which resulted in the wing tip contacting the runway during the go-around.

Jun 25, 2016 Delta, CO N152L Incident substantial The pilot exceeded the critical angle of attack during the initial climb in tailwind conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Jun 16, 2016 Immokalee, FL N4918H Incident substantial The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Apr 30, 2016 Palo Alto, CA N94565 Incident substantial
The student pilot's decision to takeoff in wind conditions that exceeded his certificated flight instructor's maximum wind endorsement, and the studen…

The student pilot's decision to takeoff in wind conditions that exceeded his certificated flight instructor's maximum wind endorsement, and the student pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the touchdown, resulting in abnormal runway contact, and substantial damage to the firewall.

Apr 28, 2016 Hayward, CA N6427Q Incident substantial
The student pilot's high descent rate during the landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing, nose landing gear collapse, and runway excursion dur…

The student pilot's high descent rate during the landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing, nose landing gear collapse, and runway excursion during an aborted landing.

Mar 23, 2016 Valparaiso, IN N918U Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing flare, which resulted in a porpoise and substantial damage to the firewall.
Mar 01, 2016 Chester, CT N94569 Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Feb 24, 2016 Pullman, WA N152LC Incident substantial The student pilot's improper landing approach, which resulted in a hard landing and the subsequent overstress failure of the nose landing gear.
Feb 12, 2016 Shirley, NY N47259 Incident destroyed
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance while landing, which resulted in a collision with a snow berm, nose gear collapse, and post…

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance while landing, which resulted in a collision with a snow berm, nose gear collapse, and postimpact fire.

Jan 29, 2016 Durant, OK N5101P Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control during the landing, resulting in a porpoise.
Sep 05, 2015 Miami, FL N6141Q Incident substantial The pilot's improper preflight fuel planning and in-flight fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Jun 18, 2015 St. Augustine, FL N6553L Incident substantial A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Apr 30, 2015 Pilot Point, TX N49158 Incident minor The loss of engine power due to the separation of the distributor gear arm on the left magneto.
Apr 06, 2015 FARMINGDALE, NJ N179BA Incident substantial The pilot's improper flare which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent hard landing.
Feb 07, 2015 Shirley, NY N5416B Incident substantial
The student pilot's initiation of the flare while too high above the runway, resulting in an aerodynamic stall, hard landing, and loss of directional …

The student pilot's initiation of the flare while too high above the runway, resulting in an aerodynamic stall, hard landing, and loss of directional control.

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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