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
Aug 03, 1989	KANKAKEE, IL	N67342	Minor	substantial	FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT, WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, DUE TO CARBURETOR ICE. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT… FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT, WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, DUE TO CARBURETOR ICE. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS.
Aug 02, 1989	FREMONT, CA	N5298B	Minor	substantial	THE PILOT'S IMPROPER INFLIGHT DECISON TO LAND ON AN UNLIGHTED RUNWAY DURING THE HOURS OF DARKNESS. DARKNESS AND THE LACK OF RUNWAY LIGHTS WERE RELATED… THE PILOT'S IMPROPER INFLIGHT DECISON TO LAND ON AN UNLIGHTED RUNWAY DURING THE HOURS OF DARKNESS. DARKNESS AND THE LACK OF RUNWAY LIGHTS WERE RELATED FACTORS.
Jul 04, 1989	TUNAS, MO	N757EJ	Minor	substantial	ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION BECAUSE OF IMPROPER FLIGHT PLANNING BY THE PILOT.
May 27, 1989	CONCORD, CA	N24521	Minor	substantial	STUDENT PILOT HAD NOT ATTAINED COMPENSATION FOR THE CROSSWIND, AND LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE.
May 24, 1989	FORT PIERCE, FL	N714UQ	Minor	substantial	FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: THE WEATHER CONDITIONS (SMOKE & H… FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: THE WEATHER CONDITIONS (SMOKE & HAZE), THE STUDENT BECOMING LOST, HER LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE, AND HER INABILITY TO UNDERSTAND ATC INSTRUCTIONS AFTER SHE BECAME LOST.
Mar 20, 1989	SAN JOSE, CA	N49925	Minor	destroyed	IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT AND SUBSEQUENT FUEL EXHAUSTION. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: DARK NIGHT,TREES, AND THE BUILDING.
Mar 05, 1989	BLOUNTVILLE, TN	N25524	Minor	substantial	CARBURETOR ICE. THE PILOT FAILED TO APPLY CARBURETOR HEAT IN A TIMELY AND ADEQUATE MANNER. THIS FAILURE RESULTED IN THE ACCUMULATION OF ICE TO A POINT… CARBURETOR ICE. THE PILOT FAILED TO APPLY CARBURETOR HEAT IN A TIMELY AND ADEQUATE MANNER. THIS FAILURE RESULTED IN THE ACCUMULATION OF ICE TO A POINT OF FAILURE OF THE ENGINE WHICH ELIMINATED THE HEAT NECESSARY TO REMOVE THE ICE.
Feb 09, 1989	HONOLULU, HI	N88TE	Minor	substantial	INADEQUATE CONTROL TOWER SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE LOCAL CONTROLLER (LC), AND FAILURE OF THE TWO PILOTS TO SEE AND AVOID EACH OTHER'S AIRCRAFT. RELATED… INADEQUATE CONTROL TOWER SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE LOCAL CONTROLLER (LC), AND FAILURE OF THE TWO PILOTS TO SEE AND AVOID EACH OTHER'S AIRCRAFT. RELATED FACTORS WERE: IDENTIFICATION OF THE WRONG AIRCRAFT BY THE LOCAL CONTROLLER, HIS EXCESSIVE WORKLOAD (HEAVY TRAFFIC), AND VISUAL PERCEPTION FROM THE LOCAL CONTROLLERS POINT OF VIEW.
Jan 31, 1989	ORE CITY, TX	N4745B	Minor	substantial	SLIPPAGE OF THE CENTER CRANKSHAFT BEARING, WHICH RESULTED IN OIL STARVATION AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF THE #3 CONNECTING ROD. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WER… SLIPPAGE OF THE CENTER CRANKSHAFT BEARING, WHICH RESULTED IN OIL STARVATION AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF THE #3 CONNECTING ROD. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: THE AIRCRAFT OWNER'S CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE ENGINE BEYOND THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED OVERHAUL PERIOD, THE DARK NIGHT, THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ROADWAY ALIGNMENT DURING THE LANDING, AND THE DITCH/CULVERTS.
Dec 17, 1988	STACYVILLE, ME	N6558P	Minor	destroyed	Investigation pending
Dec 11, 1988	HALEIWA, HI	N94825	Minor	minor	Investigation pending
Dec 03, 1988	SCOTTSDALE, AZ	N47220	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Nov 09, 1988	GAINESVILLE, FL	N6578B	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Sep 25, 1988	MILLBROOK, NY	N94228	Minor	destroyed	Investigation pending
Aug 29, 1988	GOODYEAR, AZ	N46972	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Aug 27, 1988	CHINO, CA	N67649	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Aug 19, 1988	LEADVILLE, CO	N93538	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Jul 22, 1988	SOMERVILLE, TN	N757YP	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Jul 20, 1988	HEAVENER, OK	N68700	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Jul 12, 1988	SLIDELL, LA	N25999	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Jul 09, 1988	AURORA, CO	N67712	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Jun 22, 1988	HOWELL, MI	N757CD	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Jun 19, 1988	COLDWATER, MS	N95056	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
May 20, 1988	CONWAY, SC	N94533	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Apr 22, 1988	MONCKS CORNER, SC	N94251	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending

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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