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
Aug 21, 2013 Palmer, AK N7807K Minor substantial
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in a subsequent aerodynamic stall. Contributing t…

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in a subsequent aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to take off with a slight tailwind.

Oct 07, 2012 St Maries, ID N2780X Minor substantial
The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine and airframe did not reveal any…

The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine and airframe did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Oct 17, 2010 Summner, ME N2576K Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while on final approach resulting in an aerodynamic stall and a subsequent hard landing.
Sep 09, 2010 Huron, NY N180LE Minor substantial The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Aug 13, 2010 Hillsboro, OR N6475X Minor substantial A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation resulting from unporting when the pilot entered into a slip during the turn to the final approach leg.
Jun 03, 2010 Humble, TX N154JD Minor substantial A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate fuel management.
May 14, 2010 Caldwell, ID N3142C Minor substantial A loss of directional control and runway excursion for undetermined reasons.
Aug 25, 2009 Chugiak, AK N4601A Minor substantial The pilot’s delayed use of carburetor heat while operating in conditions conducive to carburetor icing.
Oct 19, 2008 Denton, TX N1729F Minor substantial The pilot's loss of directional control and subsequent "ground-loop."
Mar 11, 2008 White Mountain, AK N66036 Minor substantial The pilot’s inadvertent flight into flat light/whiteout conditions over snow-covered terrain.
Nov 12, 2007 Orlando, FL N9198C Minor substantial The pilot's loss of control on the water after landing, which resulted in the bow of the right float submerging , and a nose-over event.
Nov 11, 2007 Becker, MN N5248E Minor substantial
The pilot maintained excessive airspeed during the landing approach and failed to achieve a proper touchdown point. A factor associated with the acci…

The pilot maintained excessive airspeed during the landing approach and failed to achieve a proper touchdown point. A factor associated with the accident was the fence that the airplane contacted.

Aug 11, 2007 Princeton, MN N2311C Minor substantial
The loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate preflight. A factor was the fuel siphoning from the right fuel …

The loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate preflight. A factor was the fuel siphoning from the right fuel tank.

Jun 17, 2007 Nampa, ID N2467F Minor substantial The pilot's failure to stop for additional fuel, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
May 28, 2007 Grand Junction, CO N3408Y Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the take-off roll. A factor contributing to the accident was the crosswind.
Apr 30, 2007 Brigham City, UT N180GW Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Factors include variable winds, and crosswinds, and an abrupt drop-off at…

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Factors include variable winds, and crosswinds, and an abrupt drop-off at the runway shoulder.

Dec 28, 2005 Greenville, NH N2869U Minor substantial The pilot's inadequate pre-flight inspection, which resulted in water-contaminated fuel in the engine and subsequent engine failure.
Sep 15, 2005 Lodi, WI N392PT Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing resulting in a nose-over.
Jun 29, 2005 Big Bend, CA N2929C Minor substantial the pilot misjudged his clearance altitude above the surface of the lake, resulting in a collision with water.
Sep 08, 2004 McCall, ID N3458Y Minor substantial
The pilot's failure to attain proper touchdown point for landing on the backcountry airstrip. Contributing factors were downdraft weather conditions …

The pilot's failure to attain proper touchdown point for landing on the backcountry airstrip. Contributing factors were downdraft weather conditions and the pilot's excessive speed for landing.

Jul 11, 2004 Talkeetna, AK N3267D Minor substantial
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions during cruise flight, which resulted in the airplane impacting the lake. A factor associa…

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions during cruise flight, which resulted in the airplane impacting the lake. A factor associated with the accident was a downdraft, and low altitude flight.

Sep 07, 2003 Greenville, ME N6445X Minor substantial
The inadequate installation and inspection of an aileron cable by maintenance personnel, which resulted in a loss of control in-flight and subsequent …

The inadequate installation and inspection of an aileron cable by maintenance personnel, which resulted in a loss of control in-flight and subsequent collision with water.

Jul 23, 2003 Punkin Center, AZ N767RK Minor substantial
The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and failure to attain adequate climb rate to ensure clearance from obstacles. The tailwind and high density…

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning and failure to attain adequate climb rate to ensure clearance from obstacles. The tailwind and high density altitude were factors.

Aug 27, 2000 CAMERON PARK, CA N2443C Minor substantial
failure of the pilot to verify the seat latch was secure, resulting in the pilot's inability to reach the flight controls necessary to maintain direct…

failure of the pilot to verify the seat latch was secure, resulting in the pilot's inability to reach the flight controls necessary to maintain directional control.

Aug 07, 2000 CHALLIS, ID N222AK Minor substantial The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors include variable winds during 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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