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 04, 2017 Willow, AK N5236D Incident substantial The pilot’s improper landing flare while landing on water with glassy water conditions, which resulted in the airplane nosing over.
Aug 02, 2017 Puntilla, AK N9455C Incident destroyed
The airplane’s encounter with a downdraft while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of at…

The airplane’s encounter with a downdraft while maneuvering at a low altitude, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and a subsequent aerodynamic stall.

Jul 22, 2017 Austin, TX N3119D Minor substantial
The pilot's improper decision to attempt to take off after two previous failed attempts from choppy water with a high outside temperature and the airp…

The pilot's improper decision to attempt to take off after two previous failed attempts from choppy water with a high outside temperature and the airplane near its maximum gross weight, which degraded the airplane’s performance and resulted in its inability to maintain adequate airspeed and sustain a climb.

Jul 09, 2017 Baker City, OR N4683B Incident substantial The loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, which resulted from the pilot's inadequate preflight fuel planning.
Jul 09, 2017 Anchorage, AK N2429C Minor substantial A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation for undetermined reasons.
Jul 04, 2017 Nashua, NH N9961N Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Jun 11, 2017 Belmar, NJ N71MH Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting wind conditions.
Jun 01, 2017 Ventura, CA N3683C Fatal (1) destroyed
The pilot's abrupt and substantial pullup maneuver while flying the airplane above the maneuvering speed, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. The …

The pilot's abrupt and substantial pullup maneuver while flying the airplane above the maneuvering speed, which resulted in an in-flight breakup. The reason for the pilot's maneuver could not be determined based on the available evidence.

Apr 12, 2017 Kenai, AK N2144Z Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with crosswind conditions.
Apr 12, 2017 Manchester, CA N7945V Incident substantial The pilot’s improper preflight fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the total loss of engine power.
Feb 19, 2017 Bally, PA N123GT Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in crosswind conditions.
Jan 30, 2017 Tyonek, AK N5222E Incident substantial The pilot’s improper decision to land on a snow-covered airstrip with a tundra tire-equipped airplane, which resulted in a nose-over.
Sep 05, 2016 Clemson, SC N451SW Incident substantial The pilot’s loss of directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Sep 03, 2016 Yakutat, AK N54AF Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate inspection of the off-airport landing area, which resulted in an encounter with standing water and a nose over.
Aug 06, 2016 Cardington, OH N2601Y Minor destroyed The partial loss of engine power due to carburetor icing during an attempted go-around.
Jul 06, 2016 New Durham, NH N767MH Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing after encountering a boat wake, which resulted in the airplane veering left, impact…

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing after encountering a boat wake, which resulted in the airplane veering left, impacting the water's surface, and subsequently becoming submerged.

Jul 04, 2016 Nome, AK N9203T Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate glide path during landing, which resulted in the airplane landing short of the runway and impacting a barr…

The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate glide path during landing, which resulted in the airplane landing short of the runway and impacting a barricade. Contributing to the accident was the airport manager's improper placement and marking of a metal barricade that encroached on the runway safety area.

May 15, 2016 St. George, UT C-GBLK Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion, ground loop, right main landing gea…

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion, ground loop, right main landing gear collapse, and substantial damage to the right wing.

May 14, 2016 Wasilla, AK N2423F Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the l…

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the loose dirt and gravel deposited in the center of the runway.

May 13, 2016 California City, CA N9370C Minor substantial
A directional upset on landing due to a thermally induced atmospheric disturbance, which the pilot was unable to successfully counter due to improperl…

A directional upset on landing due to a thermally induced atmospheric disturbance, which the pilot was unable to successfully counter due to improperly set rudder travel limits.

May 03, 2016 Naknek, AK N6479X Incident substantial
The overstress fracture and subsequent separation of the left main landing gear axle due to a hard landing, which resulted in the pilot’s inability to…

The overstress fracture and subsequent separation of the left main landing gear axle due to a hard landing, which resulted in the pilot’s inability to maintain directional control of the airplane.

Mar 31, 2016 Shiprock, NM N180XV Serious (1) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control after encountering a sudden change in wind direction during the landing roll.
Mar 26, 2016 Del Rio, TX N9659B Minor substantial The pilot’s loss of directional control while departing with a gusting tailwind.
Mar 13, 2016 Boulder, UT N4696B Incident substantial The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff from the soft runway surface, which precluded optimal acceleration during the takeoff sequence.
Mar 13, 2016 South Burlington, VT N9925N Serious (1) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff roll, which resulted in a nose over.
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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