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
Jun 15, 1999	FAIRBANKS, AK	N5218D	Minor	substantial	The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision during a go-around. A factor was the pilot's failure to maintain the proper glide path to the runw… The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision during a go-around. A factor was the pilot's failure to maintain the proper glide path to the runway.
May 10, 1999	NECEDAH, WI	N59DW	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain compensation for the wind conditions. A factor was the gusting tailwind.
Jun 21, 1998	BAY CITY, MI	N9753B	Minor	substantial	a fatigue failure of the left nose gear caster bolt which resulted in a separation of the nose gear during landing.
Mar 28, 1998	WHITEWOOD, SD	N9140C	Minor	substantial	failure of the pilot to maintain clearance from obstructions (wires) during an approach for a precautionary landing. Factors associated with the accid… failure of the pilot to maintain clearance from obstructions (wires) during an approach for a precautionary landing. Factors associated with the accident were: the pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather conditions, low ceilings, icing conditions, and the wires which were contacted.
Jul 15, 1997	LAKE MEAD, NV	N2914K	Minor	substantial	Failure of the number 4 piston for undetermined reasons.
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.
Mar 30, 1997	CAMARILLO, CA	N9065N	Minor	destroyed	The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for crosswind conditions during landing.
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.
Jun 26, 1995	CHANDLER, AZ	N2362C	Minor	substantial	Fuel exhaustion resulting from the pilot's failure to determine the amount of fuel onboard at departure. The reduced ambient lighting was a factor in … Fuel exhaustion resulting from the pilot's failure to determine the amount of fuel onboard at departure. The reduced ambient lighting was a factor in this accident.
Jun 23, 1995	MONROE, WA	N2790X	Minor	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED.
Sep 25, 1994	DENTON, TX	N9425C	Minor	substantial	THE FUEL STARVATION INDUCED POWER LOSS DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE AMOUNT OF FUEL. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED WERE: THE LACK OF … THE FUEL STARVATION INDUCED POWER LOSS DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE AMOUNT OF FUEL. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED WERE: THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING, AND THE PILOT'S EVASIVE MANEUVER.
Jul 27, 1994	ELKO, NV	N180BK	Minor	substantial	a loss of engine power from fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's improper preflight and fuel consumption calculations while operating with known equipme… a loss of engine power from fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's improper preflight and fuel consumption calculations while operating with known equipment malfunctions.
Mar 09, 1993	ANCHORAGE, AK	N9977N	Minor	substantial	THE FAILURE OF THE PRIVATE CERTIFICATED/DUAL STUDENT PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE FLIGHT IN… THE FAILURE OF THE PRIVATE CERTIFICATED/DUAL STUDENT PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR/PILOT IN COMMAND TO TAKE TIMELY REMEDIAL ACTION.
Jun 12, 1992	GREENVILLE, ME	N2816K	Minor	substantial	THE PILOTS DECISION TO INITIATE A STEP TURN INTO THE WIND. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE CROSSWIND AND GUSTS.
Mar 24, 1992	ERIE, CO	N3328D	Minor	substantial	A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WHEN THE PILOT FAILED TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR CROSSWIND CONDITIONS DURING LANDING ROLL. A FACTOR WAS: A 27 KNOT C… A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WHEN THE PILOT FAILED TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR CROSSWIND CONDITIONS DURING LANDING ROLL. A FACTOR WAS: A 27 KNOT CROSSWIND GUST.
Feb 23, 1992	QUILCENE, WA	N1680C	Minor	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. FACTORS INCLUDE A POOR IN FLIGHT DECISION AND UNFAVORABLE/GUSTY WINDS.
Jun 22, 1991	CHALLIS, ID	N4700U	Minor	substantial	THAT THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER A POWER LOSS DUE TO A FRACTURED CYLINDER BOSS AND A BENT ENGINE PUSHROD.
May 10, 1991	DREWSEY, OR	N51612	Minor	destroyed	THE PILOT DELAYED IN GOING-AROUND.
Mar 29, 1991	FRIDAY HARBOR, WA	N2601Y	Minor	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER CLIMB GRADIENT AND RATE AS A RESULT OF HIS INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS.
Jul 26, 1990	HILLTOWN, PA	N1ZT	Minor	substantial	THE PILOT RECEIVING TRAINING MISJUDGED THE AIRPLANE'S DISTANCE FROM THE RUNWAY AND ALTITUDE ABOVE THE TREES. IN ADDITION, THE CFI FAILED TO PROVIDE AD… THE PILOT RECEIVING TRAINING MISJUDGED THE AIRPLANE'S DISTANCE FROM THE RUNWAY AND ALTITUDE ABOVE THE TREES. IN ADDITION, THE CFI FAILED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SUPERVISION.
Jul 12, 1990	AKRON, CO	N59KM	Minor	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CORRECT A SWERVE DURING LANDING ROLL. A FACTOR WAS WIND GUSTS.
Jun 26, 1990	GODDARD, KS	N1655C	Minor	substantial	FUEL STARVATION DUE TO A LOOSE FUEL STRAINER SCREEN. A FACTOR RELATED TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.
Jun 04, 1990	COLUSA, CA	N21Y	Minor	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TOUCHDOWN.
Sep 02, 1989	ANCHORAGE, AK	N2137Z	Minor	substantial	OIL LEAK IN THE OIL COOLER. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: OIL FILM ON THE WINDSHIELD, WHICH OBSCURED THE PILOT'S VISION (VISUAL PERCEPTION) AND HAMPERED … OIL LEAK IN THE OIL COOLER. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: OIL FILM ON THE WINDSHIELD, WHICH OBSCURED THE PILOT'S VISION (VISUAL PERCEPTION) AND HAMPERED HIS ABILITY TO ATTAIN PROPER RUNWAY ALIGNMENT, AN OBJECT (ROCK), AND HIGH VEGETATION BESIDE THE AIRSTRIP.
Jul 05, 1989	PORT ALSWORTH, AK	N1512C	Minor	substantial	A BLOCKED FUEL LINE BETWEEN THE FUEL SELECTOR AND THE ENGINE WHICH CAUSED FUEL STARVATION.

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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