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
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.
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.
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.
Aug 10, 1992	WIBAUX, MT	N63242	Incident	substantial	A POORLY PLANNED APPROACH.
Jul 22, 1992	CURLEW ISLAND, LA	N66618	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT.
Dec 30, 1991	ORANGE, TX	N20489	Incident	substantial	THE RUPTURED LEFT MAIN GEAR TIRE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.
Sep 22, 1991	MAMMOTH LAKES, CA	N63622	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PIC'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE AIRPLANE AND THE S… THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PIC'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE AIRPLANE AND THE SOFT TERRAIN.
Mar 10, 1991	AMOS LAKES, AK	N66036	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF TERRAIN THAT WAS ROUGH, SNOW-COVERED AND ICY FOR TAKEOFF.
Jul 01, 1990	HOMER, AK	N820AK	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.
Apr 25, 1990	CRYSTAL SPRINGS, MS	N61714	Incident	substantial	PILOTS FAILURE TO ASSURE THAT THE FUEL CAP WAS IN POSITION AND SECURED PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. THIS RESULTED IN FUEL SIPHONING OVERBOARD RESULTING IN THE … PILOTS FAILURE TO ASSURE THAT THE FUEL CAP WAS IN POSITION AND SECURED PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. THIS RESULTED IN FUEL SIPHONING OVERBOARD RESULTING IN THE PRECAUTIONARY LANDING.
Sep 02, 1989	ENGLEWOOD, CO	N2705K	Incident	substantial	FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN A GROUND SWERVE. THE CROSSWIND WAS A RELATED FACTOR.
Sep 05, 1988	CHICKALOONFLATS, AK	N2989K	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Jun 15, 1988	SHOW LOW, AZ	N2509K	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Sep 20, 1987	SAN DIEGO, CA	N2573K	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending

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.

← Cessna 180K For Sale All Cessna Models

Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data

Looking to buy a Cessna 180K? View 4 Cessna 180K for sale ↓

Cessna 180K Safety Record

Report an Issue