How many accidents has the Cessna 180 had?

The NTSB has recorded 1114 events involving the Cessna 180: 87 fatal, 51 serious, 107 minor injuries, and 865 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Cessna 180 a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Cessna 180 has 1114 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Cessna 180 Safety Record

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

1114

All Events

865

Incidents

107

Minor

Serious

Fatal (166 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Apr 02, 2000	SILVERDALE, WA	N2635K	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for winds. Factors include gusty, shifting winds, crosswinds, and an earthen berm near the edge of the runway.
Mar 22, 2000	ROUNDUP, MT	N75CD	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions and subsequent loss of control.
Mar 11, 2000	PORT TOWNSEND, WA	N4994A	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for changing wind conditions during the landing roll in a tailwheel-equipped aircraft. Factors include a … The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for changing wind conditions during the landing roll in a tailwheel-equipped aircraft. Factors include a variable, shifting wind that changed from a quartering headwind to a quartering tailwind just prior to the aircraft touching down on the runway, and soft, wet terrain just off the edge of the runway surface.
Mar 04, 2000	BOZEMAN, MT	N9907V	Incident	substantial	Aircraft control was not maintained. Inadequate remedial action was a factor.
Feb 25, 2000	OPHIR, AK	N8221V	Incident	substantial	The pilot's selection of an unsuitable taxi area. A factor associated with the accident was the soft, snow-covered terrain.
Feb 08, 2000	GLENNALLEN, AK	N4961A	Incident	substantial	The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing site on a frozen, snow-covered lake. A factor associated with the accident was an area of drifted snow… The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing site on a frozen, snow-covered lake. A factor associated with the accident was an area of drifted snow at the landing site.
Nov 08, 1999	FACTORYVILLE, PA	N7783A	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a crosswind landing.
Oct 14, 1999	DENVER, CO	N6425X	Incident	substantial	The excessive taxi speed used by the pilot exiting the runway via a high-speed taxiway resulting in a loss of control. A factor was the crosswind.
Oct 09, 1999	PLEASANT HILLS, MO	N42536	Incident	substantial	The pilot's loss of directional control during an aborted takeoff.
Sep 26, 1999	PILOT POINT, AK	N4563B	Incident	substantial	The pilot's misjudgment of the touchdown point. A factor in the accident was the uneven terrain.
Sep 18, 1999	PALMER, AK	N2294C	Incident	substantial	The pilot's choice of unsuitable terrain for taxi, and inadequate compensation for high winds. Factors associated with this accident were the muddy g… The pilot's choice of unsuitable terrain for taxi, and inadequate compensation for high winds. Factors associated with this accident were the muddy ground, and the winds of 25 knots gusting to 40 knots.
Sep 07, 1999	DILLINGHAM, AK	N5316D	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate preflight planning. Factors associated with the accident were a short runway, and the pilot's failure to use available perform… The pilot's inadequate preflight planning. Factors associated with the accident were a short runway, and the pilot's failure to use available performance data.
Aug 22, 1999	HEBER CITY, UT	N1630C	Incident	substantial	The stripped threads and subsequent separation of the left hydraulic brake line leading to fluid loss and the pilot's inability to maintain directiona… The stripped threads and subsequent separation of the left hydraulic brake line leading to fluid loss and the pilot's inability to maintain directional control.
Aug 21, 1999	BELGRADE, MT	N5359D	Incident	substantial	Clearance from objects was not maintained during taxiing. Factors include the pilot's inadequate visual lookout.
Aug 20, 1999	COLUMBUS, NM	N4796B	Incident	substantial	Fuel exhaustion because the pilot issued instructions that the fuel tanks not be filled to capacity. A factor was the unsuitable terrain on which to … Fuel exhaustion because the pilot issued instructions that the fuel tanks not be filled to capacity. A factor was the unsuitable terrain on which to make a forced landing.
Aug 18, 1999	QUEBEC, CA	N4535B	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Aug 14, 1999	GILLETTE, WY	N7939V	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadvertent ground loop during landing roll.
Aug 10, 1999	COUNCIL, ID	N7739K	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing. Gusting wind conditions and a dirt bank adjacent to the runway edge were factors.
Aug 03, 1999	SAND POINT, AK	N49JT	Incident	substantial	The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. A factor in the accident was a large rock.
Aug 01, 1999	GUSTAVUS, AK	N6180	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadvertent ground loop/swerve.
Jul 30, 1999	SHAWANO, WI	N4809E	Incident	substantial	the failure of the pilot to maintain directional control. Factors were the misjudged flare and improper recovery from the bounced landing by the pilo… the failure of the pilot to maintain directional control. Factors were the misjudged flare and improper recovery from the bounced landing by the pilot, and the ditch.
Jul 24, 1999	FRANKFORT, MI	N9330C	Incident	substantial	the inadequate flare and the go-around not performed by the pilot.
Jul 18, 1999	TOWER, MN	N4636B	Incident	substantial	failure of the operator of the boat to maintain clearance with the floatplane.
Jul 05, 1999	WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN	N9780B	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inability to get the airplane to climb for undetermined reason, and the pilot landing the floatplane on the lake with the wheels extended.… the pilot's inability to get the airplane to climb for undetermined reason, and the pilot landing the floatplane on the lake with the wheels extended. Factors contributing to this accident were the pilot's failure to perform a before landing checklist, pressure induced by the event, and the precautionary landing.
Jul 03, 1999	NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV	N180HW	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the existing crosswind condition and maintain directional control of the aircraft.

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 180 Safety Record

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