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
Jan 27, 2020	Eloy, AZ	N9729B	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a ground-loop.
Nov 08, 2019	Tyler, TX	N9925N	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper wind correction while taking off with a tailwind, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent nose-over.
Oct 15, 2019	Flannigan, NV	N180JL	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a wing strike.
Oct 12, 2019	Greenville, TX	N333DW	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and ground-loop.
Sep 04, 2019	LANCASTER, TX	N9250T	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a ground loop.
Aug 20, 2019	Arlington, WA	N180TB	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to properly secure the seat before takeoff, which resulted in it sliding back during takeoff and rendering him unable to reach the… The pilot's failure to properly secure the seat before takeoff, which resulted in it sliding back during takeoff and rendering him unable to reach the rudder pedals and throttle lever, a subsequent runway excursion, ground loop, and impact with a berm.
Aug 12, 2019	Anchorage, AK	N91402	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain takeoff heading due to sun glare, which resulted in his inability to see an island adjacent to the water lane and sube… The pilot’s failure to maintain takeoff heading due to sun glare, which resulted in his inability to see an island adjacent to the water lane and subequent impact with the island.
Aug 10, 2019	Two Harbors, MN	N76LG	Incident	substantial	The pilot's abrupt maneuver to try and avoid a deer during landing on a grass strip runway, which resulted in a ground loop.
Jul 11, 2019	Talkeetna, AK	N91299	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper soft-field landing technique, which resulted in a nose-over.
Jul 07, 2019	Okeechobee, FL	N52031	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional while landing with a quartering tailwind, which resulted in a ground loop.
Jun 29, 2019	Pickens, SC	N75077	Incident	substantial	Maintenance personnel’s improper installation of the right main landing gear brake assembly, which resulted in the loss of control during landing.
Jun 28, 2019	Wasilla, AK	N9939V	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the left wing striking bushes. Contributing to the acci… The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the left wing striking bushes. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distorted visual perception due to his flying with one seat cushion rather than the two cushions he typically used.
Jun 22, 2019	Panama City, FL	N5239D	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop.
Jun 10, 2019	Ontario, OR	N3242D	Minor	substantial	The pilot's improper preflight fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a subsequent total loss of engine power.
Jun 08, 2019	Moses Lake, WA	N7529K	Minor	substantial	The pilot's improper landing flare and his delayed decision to go-around, which resulted in impact with rocks on a shoreline.
Jun 07, 2019	Santa Fe, NM	N180V	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing with a crosswind, which resulted in a wing strike.
May 26, 2019	Takotna, AK	N3EH	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff, which resulted in impact with vegetation.
Apr 24, 2019	Morgan, UT	N1628C	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and an attempted aborted landing and… The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and an attempted aborted landing and impact with bushes and terrain.
Apr 20, 2019	Reedsburg, WI	N59DW	Incident	substantial	The pilot's loss of directional control and subsequent improper brake application during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose-over.
Apr 14, 2019	Limington, ME	N4796B	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during touchdown, which resulted in runway excursion onto snow.
Jan 02, 2019	Townsend, MT	N4934A	Serious (2)	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low level, which resulted in a wire strike and subsequent impact with … The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines while maneuvering at low level, which resulted in a wire strike and subsequent impact with terrain.
Dec 29, 2018	Bend, OR	N7757C	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control in gusting crosswind conditions.
Dec 15, 2018	MORIARTY, NM	N188H	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to see and avoid a parked glider while taxiing from the runway.
Oct 30, 2018	Cottonwood, CA	N6414X	Serious (1)	substantial	A partial loss of engine power due to carburetor icing as a result of the pilot's failure to apply carburetor heat during a reduced-power approach des… A partial loss of engine power due to carburetor icing as a result of the pilot's failure to apply carburetor heat during a reduced-power approach descent.
Oct 03, 2018	Hailey, ID	N180BG	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting crosswind 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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Cessna 180 Safety Record

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