Cessna 188 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 259 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.

259

All Events

174

Incidents

29

Minor

27

Serious

25

Fatal (24 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Aug 19, 1995 RAEFORD, NC N731VX Incident substantial the loss of the abutment seal which resulted in the fatigue failure of the cylinder head.
Aug 14, 1995 CANTON, KS N9151R Incident substantial
failure of the pilot to obtain the proper flying speed or to abort the takeoff, while there was sufficient runway remaining, which resulted in an inad…

failure of the pilot to obtain the proper flying speed or to abort the takeoff, while there was sufficient runway remaining, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.

Aug 10, 1995 TOWN CREEK, AL N731DB Incident destroyed The chafing of the fuel flow gage pressure line with an electrical system wire which resulted in arcing.
Aug 08, 1995 TOWN CREEK, AL N731MK Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CHECK THE RUNWAY CONDITION PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. THE SOFT RUNWAY WAS A FACTOR.
Jul 29, 1995 BREMEN, ND N9980G Incident destroyed the pilot's inadequate preflight planning. Deteriating aircraft performance was a factor.
Jun 15, 1995 ATHENS, AL N8035V Incident destroyed THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE LOOKOUT, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE UTILITY LINE.
Jun 13, 1995 RED SPRINGS, NC N4916Q Incident substantial
INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE THAT OVERLOOKED CORROSION OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, WHICH RESULTED IN AN EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAK, AN IN FLIGHT FIRE, AND A COMPLET…

INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE THAT OVERLOOKED CORROSION OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, WHICH RESULTED IN AN EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAK, AN IN FLIGHT FIRE, AND A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

Sep 07, 1994 OAKDALE, IL N731SV Incident substantial misalignment of the number one connecting rod during major overhaul. Factors were the subsequent scoring and fatigue failure of the crankshaft.
Sep 01, 1994 INDIAN RIVER, FL N53184 Incident destroyed THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS OVER TERRAIN UNSUITABLE FOR A FORCED LANDING.
Aug 08, 1993 MARION, MT N9802V Incident substantial THE PREMATURE LIFTOFF FOR TAKEOFF BY THE PILOT AND THE INADVERTANT STALL/MUSH. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.
Aug 07, 1993 MARTIN, SD N78516 Incident substantial the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the takeoff roll.
Aug 01, 1993 BUHLER, KS N4864Q Incident substantial the loss of engine power due to a fractured accessory (camshaft) drive gear.
Jun 29, 1993 CENTRE, AL N731DH Incident substantial THE FAILURE OF MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO PROPERLY TORQUE THE CRANKCASE THROUGH BOLTS.
May 21, 1993 HARRISONVILLE, MO N4426Q Incident substantial PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN A PROPER CLIMB.
Sep 14, 1992 COGSWELL, ND N9747G Incident substantial LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AS A RESULT OF A COMPLETE PISTON FAILURE.
Jul 30, 1992 TOWN CREEK, AL N4495Q Incident substantial
THE INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE AND THE COLLISION WITH TREES DURING CLIMBOUT…

THE INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE AND THE COLLISION WITH TREES DURING CLIMBOUT. FACTORS WERE THE SOFT AND WET TERRAIN.

Jun 16, 1992 RISCO, MO N731GX Incident substantial
THE PILOT IN COMMANDS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE ABORTED TAKEOFF. THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE EVALUATION OF THE WIN…

THE PILOT IN COMMANDS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE ABORTED TAKEOFF. THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE EVALUATION OF THE WIND WAS A FACTOR.

May 19, 1992 IMLAY CITY, MI N9946G Incident destroyed THE PILOT INDUCED PREMATURE LIFTOFF WHICH RESULTED IN INADEQUATE AIRSPEED AND THE RESULTING STALL.
Sep 09, 1991 BELGRADE, NE N4788Q Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO TAKE ADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION. A RELATED FACTOR IS THE PREMATURE LIFTOFF.
Jul 31, 1991 MONROEVILLE, AL N9106G Incident substantial THE PILOT'S MISJUDGMENT OF THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE AIRPLANE AND THE ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION WIRE. A FACTOR WAS THE HAZY VISIBILITY.
Jul 23, 1991 MUNGER, MI N4962Q Incident substantial A PREMATURE LIFTOFF BY THE PILOT. A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE SOFT RUNWAY SURFACE AND A STALL/MUSH.
Jul 18, 1991 PALOUSE, WA N731YZ Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER RUNWAY ALIGNMENT.
Jul 13, 1991 HECLA, SD N9399G Incident substantial
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL AS HE ATTEMPTED TO JETTISON A LOAD OF AGRICULTURAL CHEMICAL AFTER THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO CLIMB A…

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL AS HE ATTEMPTED TO JETTISON A LOAD OF AGRICULTURAL CHEMICAL AFTER THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT ARE AN ATTEMPTED DOWNWIND TAKEOFF BY THE PILOT.

Jun 17, 1991 WALLIS, TX N4719Q Incident destroyed
THE PARTIAL POWER LOSS DURING A CRITICAL PHASE OF FLIGHT. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN ONTO WHICH A SUCCESSFUL FORCED LANDING COULD HAVE…

THE PARTIAL POWER LOSS DURING A CRITICAL PHASE OF FLIGHT. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN ONTO WHICH A SUCCESSFUL FORCED LANDING COULD HAVE BEEN EXECUTED.

May 31, 1991 SYCAMORE, SC N731EP Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO SECURE THE GUST LOCK DURING PRELFLIGHT; THE STRING JAMMED THE FLIGHT CONTROLS AND CREATED AN UNCONTROLLABLE CONDITION.
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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