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
Nov 16, 2003 Westerly, RI N34AG Fatal (2) minor
The Piper pilot's improper decision to continue a landing on an occupied runway, which resulted in an in-flight collision with the departing Cessna. …

The Piper pilot's improper decision to continue a landing on an occupied runway, which resulted in an in-flight collision with the departing Cessna. Factors related to the accident were the departing Cessna pilot's inattentive radio communications, and the obscured visibility of the traffic pattern from the air and ground by trees located at the departure end of the runway.

Jun 25, 2003 ANCHOR POINT, AK N91303 Fatal (3) destroyed An in-flight collision with water for an undetermined reason.
May 25, 2003 Yellow Pine, ID N767 Fatal (1) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain clearance while maneuvering. Trees, a box canyon and rising terrain were factors.
Apr 10, 2003 Oxford, AL N3166D Fatal (2) destroyed The pilot's continued VFR flight into IMC conditions and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. A factor was low ceilings.
Dec 13, 2002 Petersburg, AK N9701G Fatal (1) destroyed An in flight collision with ocean water for an undetermined reason.
Aug 24, 2000 PILOT POINT, AK N4985A Fatal (3) substantial Investigation pending
Jul 21, 2000 THORNE BAY, AK N2997A Fatal (1) destroyed The pilot-in-command's inadvertent stalling of the airplane.
Jul 08, 2000 GOLD BAR, WA N37GC Fatal (3) destroyed
The non-instrument rated pilot's attempted VFR flight in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing factors were mountainous terrain and clou…

The non-instrument rated pilot's attempted VFR flight in instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing factors were mountainous terrain and cloud, low ceiling and obscuration conditions.

Feb 20, 2000 TOWER, MN N6545A Fatal (1) the passenger not maintaining clearance from the rotating propeller.
Aug 05, 1999 KENAI, AK N8TL Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilot's intentional visual flight into known adverse weather. Factors associated with this accident were the reported low ceilings, obscuration, …

The pilot's intentional visual flight into known adverse weather. Factors associated with this accident were the reported low ceilings, obscuration, high winds, and turbulence.

May 27, 1999 WICKENBURG, AZ N2660M Fatal (1) destroyed The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from ground obstacles. A factor was the pilot's diverted attention in this accident.
Apr 15, 1998 ASHLAND, WI N828CE Fatal (1) destroyed
the pilot failing to maintain separation from the trees. Factors contributing to this accident were the trees and the pilot being too low in altitude…

the pilot failing to maintain separation from the trees. Factors contributing to this accident were the trees and the pilot being too low in altitude.

Nov 14, 1997 JOHNSON CITY, TX N20MF Fatal (1) destroyed
The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance. Factors were the low ceilings, dark night light conditions, and the pilot's lack of visible horiz…

The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance. Factors were the low ceilings, dark night light conditions, and the pilot's lack of visible horizon in the unpopulated area.

Jul 27, 1996 ILIAMNA, AK N9141T Fatal (2) destroyed
VFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude and/or clearance fro…

VFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude and/or clearance from mountainous terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: the adverse weather condition (low ceiling and rain) and terrain.

Nov 04, 1995 PLACERVILLE, CA N3358D Fatal (2) destroyed
the pilot's intentional buzzing, his failure to identify an obstruction (inadequate visual lookout), and his failure to maintain adequate altitude/cle…

the pilot's intentional buzzing, his failure to identify an obstruction (inadequate visual lookout), and his failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from the obstruction (utility pole). Factors relating to the accident were: dust generated by farm machinery and sun glare, which reduced the pilot's ability to visually detect the obstruction.

Sep 07, 1995 BROWNING, MT N7820K Fatal (1) destroyed CLEARANCE FROM THE GROUND WAS NOT MAINTAINED WHILE ATTEMPTING A VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC WEATHER CONDITIONS. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS FOG.
Apr 15, 1995 CANTWELL, AK N115F Fatal (2) destroyed THE PILOT'S CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC CONDITIONS. WEATHER CONDITIONS CONSISTING OF LOW CEILINGS AND TURBULENCE WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.
Apr 09, 1995 SANGER, TX N5181E Fatal (1) destroyed THE PILOT'S PERFORMANCE OF A LOW ALTITUDE MANEUVER AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL. A FACTOR WAS THE GUSTY WIND.
Mar 15, 1995 WINSLOW, AZ N1520C Fatal (2) destroyed The pilot's poor judgement by intentionally deciding to buzz.
Sep 20, 1993 MULLAN, ID N985DB Fatal (1) destroyed
THE PILOT'S POOR IN FLIGHT DECISION, AND HIS INADVERTENT CONTINUATION OF A VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. FACTORS INCLUDE LOW C…

THE PILOT'S POOR IN FLIGHT DECISION, AND HIS INADVERTENT CONTINUATION OF A VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. FACTORS INCLUDE LOW CEILINGS, SNOW, FOG, RAIN, AND MOUNTAINOUS/HILLY TERRAIN.

Sep 02, 1993 CHEYENNE, WY N3120C Fatal (3) destroyed
IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISON BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN EXCEEDING THE DESIGN STRESS LIMITS OF THE AIRCRAFT AFTER ENCOUNTERING ADVERSE WEAT…

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISON BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN EXCEEDING THE DESIGN STRESS LIMITS OF THE AIRCRAFT AFTER ENCOUNTERING ADVERSE WEATHER. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE RELATED FACTORS.

Aug 01, 1993 NAUBINWAY, MI CFPTU Fatal (1) substantial
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE FOR LANDING. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT ARE THE LOW CLOUDS AND FOG, THE ROUGH WATER AT THE LANDING SITE, AND THE …

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE FOR LANDING. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT ARE THE LOW CLOUDS AND FOG, THE ROUGH WATER AT THE LANDING SITE, AND THE PILOT'S CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER.

Jul 01, 1993 WEBSTER, NH N2880K Fatal (2) destroyed
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, HIS FAILURE TO ASSURE PROPER WEIGHT AND BALANCE OF THE AIRCRAFT FOR TAKEOFF, AND HIS FAILURE TO…

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, HIS FAILURE TO ASSURE PROPER WEIGHT AND BALANCE OF THE AIRCRAFT FOR TAKEOFF, AND HIS FAILURE TO OBTAIN AND/OR MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL. A POSSIBLE FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: WATER IN THE RIGHT FLOAT.

Jun 03, 1993 HUAZAPARES, MX N1281B Fatal (3) destroyed Investigation pending
Feb 27, 1993 BREWER, ME N4607U Fatal (1) destroyed
LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASONS, AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING THE FORCED LANDING WHICH RESULTED …

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO UNDETERMINED REASONS, AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING THE FORCED LANDING WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL.

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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