Cessna 180 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 1114 events recorded from 1981 to 2025.

1114

All Events

865

Incidents

107

Minor

51

Serious

87

Fatal (166 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Oct 09, 2025 Imnaha, OR N249MD Minor substantial The pilot’s continued application of brakes during an aborted takeoff in a tailwind on down-sloping terrain, which resulted in a nose-over.
Jun 20, 2025 Rockford, WA N2680Y Minor substantial
The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a subsequent landing on rough t…

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a subsequent landing on rough terrain.

Oct 13, 2024 Owinza, ID N9493C Minor unk The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from the water during a low pass over a lake.
Sep 14, 2024 Anchorage, AK N5275E Minor substantial The pilot’s encounter with wake turbulence, which resulted in substantial damage to the airplane.
Jul 14, 2024 Le Roy, MI N7827K Minor substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while performing a go-around, which resulted in an inflight collision with trees.
Sep 04, 2022 McCarty, AK N91224 Minor substantial The pilot’s failure to initiate a go around maneuver when the airplane past the intended touch down point.
Aug 12, 2022 Sutton-Alpine, AK N6577A Minor substantial A total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Jul 24, 2021 Mt. Hood, OR N8884 Minor substantial
The total loss of engine power while in cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence. Contributing to the accide…

The total loss of engine power while in cruise flight for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence. Contributing to the accident was the presentation of an abandoned airport as available for use in the Federal Aviation Administration airports database.

Jun 14, 2021 Columbus, OH N13159 Minor substantial The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation resulting from sealant contamination in the wing.
Apr 03, 2021 Delavan, WI N1522C Minor substantial
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing roll with gusting crosswinds, which resulted in his excessive brake input a…

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing roll with gusting crosswinds, which resulted in his excessive brake input and a subsequent nose over.

Aug 20, 2019 Arlington, WA N180TB Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to properly secure the seat before takeoff, which resulted in it sliding back during takeoff and rendering him unable to reach the…

The pilot's failure to properly secure the seat before takeoff, which resulted in it sliding back during takeoff and rendering him unable to reach the rudder pedals and throttle lever, a subsequent runway excursion, ground loop, and impact with a berm.

Aug 12, 2019 Anchorage, AK N91402 Minor substantial
The pilot’s failure to maintain takeoff heading due to sun glare, which resulted in his inability to see an island adjacent to the water lane and sube…

The pilot’s failure to maintain takeoff heading due to sun glare, which resulted in his inability to see an island adjacent to the water lane and subequent impact with the island.

Jun 10, 2019 Ontario, OR N3242D Minor substantial The pilot's improper preflight fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent total loss of engine power.
Jun 08, 2019 Moses Lake, WA N7529K Minor substantial The pilot's improper landing flare and his delayed decision to go-around, which resulted in impact with rocks on a shoreline.
Dec 29, 2018 Bend, OR N7757C Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control in gusting crosswind conditions.
Mar 31, 2018 Grove, OK N2485C Minor substantial
A total loss of engine power due to carburetor ice accumulation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to apply carburetor heat immedia…

A total loss of engine power due to carburetor ice accumulation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to apply carburetor heat immediately following the loss of engine power.

Dec 03, 2017 Frederick, MD N399F Minor substantial The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing and the failure of the left main landing gear tire.
Jul 22, 2017 Austin, TX N3119D Minor substantial
The pilot's improper decision to attempt to take off after two previous failed attempts from choppy water with a high outside temperature and the airp…

The pilot's improper decision to attempt to take off after two previous failed attempts from choppy water with a high outside temperature and the airplane near its maximum gross weight, which degraded the airplane’s performance and resulted in its inability to maintain adequate airspeed and sustain a climb.

Jul 09, 2017 Anchorage, AK N2429C Minor substantial A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation for undetermined reasons.
Aug 06, 2016 Cardington, OH N2601Y Minor destroyed The partial loss of engine power due to carburetor icing during an attempted go-around.
May 13, 2016 California City, CA N9370C Minor substantial
A directional upset on landing due to a thermally induced atmospheric disturbance, which the pilot was unable to successfully counter due to improperl…

A directional upset on landing due to a thermally induced atmospheric disturbance, which the pilot was unable to successfully counter due to improperly set rudder travel limits.

Mar 26, 2016 Del Rio, TX N9659B Minor substantial The pilot’s loss of directional control while departing with a gusting tailwind.
Aug 16, 2015 Ione, OR N28RR Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain.
Oct 12, 2014 Boca Raton, FL N2590K Minor substantial
Maintenance personnel’s failure to apply proper torque to the cylinder flange nuts and through bolts, which resulted in shifting of the Nos. 1 and 2 m…

Maintenance personnel’s failure to apply proper torque to the cylinder flange nuts and through bolts, which resulted in shifting of the Nos. 1 and 2 main bearings, loss of lubrication, failure of the crankshaft, and a subsequent total loss of engine power.

Sep 19, 2014 Piscataquis County, ME N180GK Minor substantial
The fatigue fracture of the No. 3 exhaust valve, which initiated at the outer surface of the valve stem and resulted in the subsequent total loss of e…

The fatigue fracture of the No. 3 exhaust valve, which initiated at the outer surface of the valve stem and resulted in the subsequent total loss of engine power over terrain unsuitable for 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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