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
May 15, 1998	ABILENE, TX	N4775B	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper compensation for the crosswind conditions resulting in a ground loop. A factor was the crosswind condition.
Apr 09, 1998	REDMOND, OR	N2933C	Incident	substantial	The passenger-pilot's excessive rate of descent during touchdown. Factors include the pilot-in-command's inadequate recovery from a hard/bounced landi… The passenger-pilot's excessive rate of descent during touchdown. Factors include the pilot-in-command's inadequate recovery from a hard/bounced landing, the passenger-pilot's failure to execute a go-around after taking control of the aircraft, and gusty crosswinds.
Mar 03, 1998	TATITNA, AK	N4751U	Incident	substantial	The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. A factor was the snow machine ruts creating a rough landing surface.
Feb 22, 1998	ANCHORAGE, AK	N9028M	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point on the runway. Factors in the accident were: snow covered terrain at the approach end of the… The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point on the runway. Factors in the accident were: snow covered terrain at the approach end of the runway and flat light conditions.
Jan 31, 1998	SUN VALLEY, ID	N180AJ	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadvertent actuation of the parking brake.
Jan 08, 1998	CHUGIAK, AK	N9737G	Incident	substantial	the pilot's selection of an unsuitable area for landing. A factor relating to the accident was: the crusty, snow covered surface of the airstrip.
Dec 28, 1997	FORT WORTH, TX	N121KS	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper planning/decision, by allowing the airplane to get in a situation, where he could not compensate for wind conditions. A related … the pilot's improper planning/decision, by allowing the airplane to get in a situation, where he could not compensate for wind conditions. A related factor was the gusty crosswind.
Dec 13, 1997	SANTA YNEZ, CA	N123LJ	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper flare. Related factors were the crosswind conditions.
Oct 16, 1997	CHAMA, NM	N7527K	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during its landing roll. Encounter with an embankment (dirt bank) was a related f… the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during its landing roll. Encounter with an embankment (dirt bank) was a related factor.
Sep 30, 1997	KING SALMON, AK	N4900A	Incident	substantial	The distorted/misaligned main landing gear, and an improper maintenance repair of the main landing gear. A factor associated with the accident was rou… The distorted/misaligned main landing gear, and an improper maintenance repair of the main landing gear. A factor associated with the accident was rough and uneven terrain.
Aug 18, 1997	ARCTIC VILLAGE, AK	N91412	Incident	destroyed	The pilot's inadequate compensation for gusty wind conditions. Factors were the gusty wind conditions, and the pilot's misjudging the wind informatio… The pilot's inadequate compensation for gusty wind conditions. Factors were the gusty wind conditions, and the pilot's misjudging the wind information.
Aug 03, 1997	PORT ASHTON, AK	N9044M	Incident	substantial	The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain. Factors associated with the accident were the tailwind and soft terrain.
Jul 30, 1997	SPANISH FORK, UT	N929AE	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind. A factor was the crosswind.
Jul 24, 1997	UMIAT, AK	N2707X	Incident	substantial	The collapse of the right main landing gear while taxiing to parking.
Jul 22, 1997	CARLISLE, AR	N9320C	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll (at night).
Jun 09, 1997	HOLLISTER, CA	N3343D	Incident	destroyed	The pilot's improper use of the elevator and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control during a touch-and-go landing. A factor in the ac… The pilot's improper use of the elevator and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control during a touch-and-go landing. A factor in the accident was the pilot's application of full power following the loss of directional control, which increased the turning moment already generated by the initial swerve.
May 27, 1997	OLNEY, TX	N9408C	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind, which resulted in a loss of dirctional control, a ground loop, and a collapsed main gear. The … the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind, which resulted in a loss of dirctional control, a ground loop, and a collapsed main gear. The crosswind was a related factor.
May 21, 1997	SHAKTOOLIK, AK	N24EJ	Incident	substantial	loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s).
May 19, 1997	RANCHO SANTA YN, MX	N9279C	Incident	destroyed	Investigation pending
May 14, 1997	LEBANON, NH	N4992V	Incident	substantial	The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
May 02, 1997	TALKEETNA, AK	N74806	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. A factor associated with the acc… the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. A factor associated with the accident was: the variable crosswind condition.
Apr 21, 1997	SOLDOTNA, AK	N64337	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate compensation for cross conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. A factor relating to the acciden… the pilot's inadequate compensation for cross conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. A factor relating to the accident was: the variable/gusty/crosswind condition.
Mar 27, 1997	ERIE, CO	N6484X	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain airplane directional control. A factor was the crosswind.
Jan 22, 1997	VALENTINE, TX	N19694	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point, and the excessive airspeed during the approach and landing. A factor was the dirt bank paral… The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point, and the excessive airspeed during the approach and landing. A factor was the dirt bank paralleling the airstrip.
Dec 31, 1996	ST MARY'S, AK	N7066	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper use of carburetor heat, and subsequent loss of engine power. Factors associated with the accident were the presence of ice cryst… the pilot's improper use of carburetor heat, and subsequent loss of engine power. Factors associated with the accident were the presence of ice crystals in the atmosphere, and unsuitable terrain for a forced 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 180 Safety Record

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