How many accidents has the Cessna 180K had?

The NTSB has recorded 90 events involving the Cessna 180K: 7 fatal, 5 serious, 11 minor injuries, and 67 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Cessna 180K a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Cessna 180K has 90 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Cessna 180K Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 90 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.

All Events

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (12 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Jun 23, 2002	Idaho Falls, ID	N2801K	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during the landing roll. A crosswind was a factor.
Jun 17, 2002	Helena, MT	N66471	Incident	substantial	Binding brakes for undetermined reasons and the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted takeoff.
Jul 19, 2001	Quincy, WA	N64426	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Factors include an encounter with a dust devil/whirlwind.
Apr 22, 2001	Glendale, AZ	N66033	Incident	substantial	The pilot's loss of directional control during the landing roll resulting in a ground loop/swerve and collision with a runway marker sign.
Feb 04, 2001	Clovis, NM	N180PG	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in the subsequent swerve of the airplane. Contributing factors were the pilot's la… The pilot's failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in the subsequent swerve of the airplane. Contributing factors were the pilot's lack of experience in make and model and his diverted attention while attempting to adjust the trim.
Aug 21, 2000	DOUGLAS, WY	N61782	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft during landing roll. Factors were high winds and crosswinds.
May 10, 2000	ANCHORAGE, AK	N2785K	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadvertent ground loop/swerve during landing.
Apr 02, 2000	SILVERDALE, WA	N2635K	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for winds. Factors include gusty, shifting winds, crosswinds, and an earthen berm near the edge of the runway.
Mar 22, 2000	ROUNDUP, MT	N75CD	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions and subsequent loss of control.
Jul 30, 1999	SHAWANO, WI	N4809E	Incident	substantial	the failure of the pilot to maintain directional control. Factors were the misjudged flare and improper recovery from the bounced landing by the pilo… the failure of the pilot to maintain directional control. Factors were the misjudged flare and improper recovery from the bounced landing by the pilot, and the ditch.
Jun 21, 1999	KOTZEBUE, AK	N2958K	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
Jun 17, 1999	SANTA MONICA, CA	N181RC	Incident	substantial	The pilot's misjudged landing flare which resulted in a hard landing and the subsequent porpoising of the airplane; and his failure to maintain direct… The pilot's misjudged landing flare which resulted in a hard landing and the subsequent porpoising of the airplane; and his failure to maintain directional control that resulted in a ground loop and substantial damage to the airplane.
May 23, 1999	BREMERTON, WA	N2567K	Incident	substantial	Failure of the landing gear attach bolt due to fatigue failure resulting in the left main landing gear collapsing.
Jul 15, 1997	LAKE MEAD, NV	N2914K	Minor	substantial	Failure of the number 4 piston for undetermined reasons.
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.
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.
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.
Oct 07, 1995	COLD BAY, AK	N64337	Incident	substantial	the pilot's selection of an unsuitable area/terrain for landing. The submerged sandbar was a related factor.
Jul 13, 1995	KING SALMON, AK	N63336	Incident	substantial	FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS, WHICH RESULTED IN A FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE DOWNDRAFT AND CROS… FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS, WHICH RESULTED IN A FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE DOWNDRAFT AND CROSSWIND WERE RELATED FACTORS.
Aug 18, 1994	HITE, UT	N2732K	Incident	substantial	COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND WEATHER EVALUATION WERE INADEQUATE. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: CROSSWIND AND GUSTS.
Oct 07, 1993	GARFIELD, WA	N61946	Incident	substantial	CONNECTING ROD BOLT FATIGUE.
Jul 01, 1993	WEBSTER, NH	N2880K	Fatal (2)	destroyed	THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, HIS FAILURE TO ASSURE PROPER WEIGHT AND BALANCE OF THE AIRCRAFT FOR TAKEOFF, AND HIS FAILURE TO… THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, HIS FAILURE TO ASSURE PROPER WEIGHT AND BALANCE OF THE AIRCRAFT FOR TAKEOFF, AND HIS FAILURE TO OBTAIN AND/OR MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL. A POSSIBLE FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: WATER IN THE RIGHT FLOAT.
Mar 19, 1993	MADISON, MS	N66388	Serious (1)	substantial	INDUCTION AIR CONTROL/SYSTEM PARTIAL FAILURE, INDUCTION AIR CONTROL/SYSTEM LEAK, AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
Dec 23, 1992	FULLERTON, CA	N61798	Incident	substantial	THE AIRPLANE'S OWNERS (INCLUDING THE PILOT) POOR MAINTENANCE AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE DE… THE AIRPLANE'S OWNERS (INCLUDING THE PILOT) POOR MAINTENANCE AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE DETERIORATED OVERWING FUEL CAPS SEALS AND THE TAILWIND.
Nov 15, 1992	WIGGINS, MS	N2873K	Serious (1)	substantial	THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ON LANDING ROLL OUT, RESULTING IN AN ON GROUND LOSS OF CONTROL (GROUND LOOP) AND SUBSEQ… THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ON LANDING ROLL OUT, RESULTING IN AN ON GROUND LOSS OF CONTROL (GROUND LOOP) AND SUBSEQUENT 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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Cessna 180K Safety Record

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