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
Jan 25, 2026 Hatillo Palma, OF HI963 Minor — Investigation pending
Jan 08, 2025 Colon, OF HC-BMT Minor substantial Investigation pending
Oct 08, 2018 Rolla, MO N685JM Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in a left quartering tailwind.
Sep 04, 2013 Woodrow, SC N59JK Minor substantial A failure of the right rudder pedal arm due to corrosion as a result of inadequate maintenance and inspection of the rudder pedal assembly.
Jun 14, 2011 Glasgow, MT N9802V Minor substantial The pilot's improper fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
Jun 26, 2007 Wyaconda, MO N4998Q Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the trees. A factor in the accident was the trees.
Jun 20, 2005 Fairview, MT N2133U Minor substantial
While in cruise flight a separation of a propeller blade as a result of a propeller hub crack. Factors contributing to the accident included the inst…

While in cruise flight a separation of a propeller blade as a result of a propeller hub crack. Factors contributing to the accident included the installation of an unapproved propeller, and the failure to properly service the propeller with red dyed oil for crack protection.
Jun 15, 2004 Rush Springs, OK N21650 Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a utility pole and power lines while maneuvering during an aerial application.
May 15, 2004 Pleasant Hill, MO N188SA Minor substantial Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's improper fuel calculations. Contributing factors to the accident included the inaccurate fuel gage and the trees.
Sep 25, 2002 Pikesville, NC N21689 Minor substantial
The inability of the pilot to see the .250 inch diameter unmarked cable resulting in the in-flight collision with the cable and substantial damage to …

The inability of the pilot to see the .250 inch diameter unmarked cable resulting in the in-flight collision with the cable and substantial damage to the airplane.
Sep 06, 2000 FARWELL, TX N21635 Minor substantial The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Factors were the smoke in the cockpit, and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Jul 21, 2000 LONE PINE, OR N731GR Minor substantial
The complete loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Factors include an irrigation system in the field where the forced landing took place, and…

The complete loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. Factors include an irrigation system in the field where the forced landing took place, and the pilot's intentional initiation of a ground loop in order to miss the pipes of the irrigation system.
Oct 02, 1998 TELLASSE, AL N4832R Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a utility line while conducting a swath run.
Jul 29, 1996 NAPOLEON, ND N5708G Minor substantial
the pilot's improper use of the rudder to correct the airplane's drift to the right. A factor was the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswi…

the pilot's improper use of the rudder to correct the airplane's drift to the right. A factor was the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind.
Aug 14, 1995 MEADE, KS N53376 Minor substantial a fatigue failure of the propeller blade, and inadequate maintenance inspection performed by the propeller shop.
Jun 15, 1995 HUNTSVILLE, AL N5621G Minor destroyed The downdraft weather condition, and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the terrain during his maneuver.
Jun 13, 1995 GARFIELD, GA N53340 Minor destroyed THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED DURING A CLIMBOUT FROM A SWATH RUN WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL AND THE SUBSEQUENT COLLISION WITH TREES.
Apr 08, 1995 MEADE, KS N9849V Minor substantial the pilot taking off the airplane at a low liftoff speed (Vlo). A factor associated with the accident was a stall/mush encountered by the pilot.
Aug 30, 1994 EGYPT, MS N4811R Minor substantial PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S INADVERTENT STALL DURING AN AGRICULTURAL TURN RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL AND SUBSEQUENT IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN.
Aug 19, 1994 SUBLETTE, KS N133MC Minor substantial
improper preflight planning by the pilot. Factors associated with the accident were the delayed jettisoning of the airplane's hopper load and the inab…

improper preflight planning by the pilot. Factors associated with the accident were the delayed jettisoning of the airplane's hopper load and the inability of the airplane to climb.
Apr 12, 1994 LATTA, SC N4856Q Minor substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN FLYING SPEED AND THE PREMATURE LIFT OFF WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL.
Jul 27, 1993 DAYTON, WA N5646J Minor substantial THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, UNDETERMINED. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS A FENCE IN THE FLT PATH.
Sep 01, 1992 SYLVANIA, GA N9450G Minor substantial AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL CONTAMINATION AND A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.
Aug 07, 1990 SALISBURY, MO N9106R Minor substantial PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT NOT ATTAINED AND GO-AROUND NOT PERFORMED BY THE PIC.
Aug 27, 1989 MILTON, FL N5699J Minor substantial FLIGHT IN KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER BY THE PILOT. TURBULENCE FROM THE NEARBY THUNDERSTORM WAS A RELATED FACTOR.
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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