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 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).
Jul 15, 1997 LAKE MEAD, NV N2914K Minor substantial Failure of the number 4 piston for undetermined reasons.
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 26, 1997 FREEDOM, PA N1802C Serious (1) destroyed
the pilot's premature lift off, and his failure to maintain proper runway alignment, which resulted in an inadvertent stall, while attempting to avoid…

the pilot's premature lift off, and his failure to maintain proper runway alignment, which resulted in an inadvertent stall, while attempting to avoid an obstruction (telephone pole). Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot allowed the airplane's gross weight to be exceeded, his inadvertent use of carburetor heat, and a gusty crosswind condition.

May 21, 1997 SHAKTOOLIK, AK N24EJ Incident substantial loss of engine power for undetermined reason(s).
May 21, 1997 KETCHIKAN, AK N2175Z Minor substantial
the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. A factor relating to the accident was: the unfavorable wind condition with gusts and downdra…

the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. A factor relating to the accident was: the unfavorable wind condition with gusts and downdrafts.

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 30, 1997 CAMARILLO, CA N9065N Minor destroyed The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for crosswind conditions during landing.
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.

Jan 20, 1997 LOPEZ, WA N42376 Minor substantial
The pilot's improper decision to initiate flight into marginal VFR conditions at night which led to inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological …

The pilot's improper decision to initiate flight into marginal VFR conditions at night which led to inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain. Factors contributing to the accident were a low ceiling, fog, and dark night conditions.

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.

Oct 14, 1996 NEW RICHMOND, WI N1535C Incident substantial the dual student's failure to recover from the bounced landing and the instructor pilot's failure to correct the situation in time.
Sep 20, 1996 DERRY, NH N2738K Incident substantial
the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which failed to detect water contaminated fuel, and resulted in a loss of engine power. A factor relatin…

the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which failed to detect water contaminated fuel, and resulted in a loss of engine power. A factor relating to the accident was: the pilot's operation of the aircraft with a known deficiency that consisted of a fuel tank leak.

Aug 30, 1996 PORT ALSWORTH, AK N8241V Serious (1) substantial
The fuel starvation caused by the unporting of the right fuel tank, and the pilot's inadequate preflight by not dipping the fuel tank to ensure suffic…

The fuel starvation caused by the unporting of the right fuel tank, and the pilot's inadequate preflight by not dipping the fuel tank to ensure sufficient fuel quantity to prevent the unporting.

Aug 19, 1996 DUXBURY, MN N2814A Incident substantial the failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed.
Aug 17, 1996 TRAVERSE CITY, MI N2406C Incident substantial
the failure of the pilot of the Cessna 180, N2406C, to maintaining proper spacing from the Cessna 150M, N9352U. A factor relating to this accident wa…

the failure of the pilot of the Cessna 180, N2406C, to maintaining proper spacing from the Cessna 150M, N9352U. A factor relating to this accident was the Cessna 180 pilot's diverted attention.

Jul 30, 1996 MC CARTHY, AK N1746C Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate weather evaluation, and his inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions.
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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