Cessna 402 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 325 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.

325

All Events

193

Incidents

24

Minor

23

Serious

78

Fatal (230 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Dec 09, 1998 PAHOKEE, FL N788SP Fatal (3) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude during the approach.
Oct 12, 1998 SORSTUKKEN, NO OYBHE Fatal (9) destroyed Investigation pending
Aug 23, 1998 MELVILLE HALL, DO N2748J Fatal (11) Investigation pending
Apr 03, 1998 WEST PALM BEACH, FL N400AR Incident substantial
the pilot allowed the airplane to improperly touchdown on the right main landing gear, resulting in the gear collapsing, and subsequent impact with ru…

the pilot allowed the airplane to improperly touchdown on the right main landing gear, resulting in the gear collapsing, and subsequent impact with runway visual range equipment.

Feb 27, 1998 MASON CITY, IA N108RS Minor substantial
the accumulation of airframe ice during flight, and failure of the pilot to attain a proper flare for landing. Factors relating to the accident were:…

the accumulation of airframe ice during flight, and failure of the pilot to attain a proper flare for landing. Factors relating to the accident were: the adverse weather (icing) condition; and the pilot's limited forward visibility, due to ice on the windshield and the light condition at dusk.

Jan 17, 1998 WALKER, CA N114GP Fatal (1) destroyed The pilot's encounter with a downdraft while approaching high terrain at an altitude insufficient to ensure adequate terrain or obstacle clearance.
Dec 31, 1997 WATERTOWN, SD N5087Q Fatal (1) destroyed
the pilot's failure to perform an aircraft preflight and to remove the ice which had accumulated on the airframe. A factor involved in the accident w…

the pilot's failure to perform an aircraft preflight and to remove the ice which had accumulated on the airframe. A factor involved in the accident was the icing weather conditions which existed and the ice which accumulated on the airplane.

Dec 09, 1997 MILWAUKEE, WI N728QA Incident substantial Inadequate preflight planning/preparation, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.
Nov 29, 1997 SPENCER, IA N22NC Incident substantial
The pilot failure to comply with the prescribed IFR procedure and his not following his company's operations specifications. Low clouds and fog were …

The pilot failure to comply with the prescribed IFR procedure and his not following his company's operations specifications. Low clouds and fog were are contributing factors.

Nov 02, 1997 FORT LAUDERDALE, FL N69312 Incident destroyed The pilot's improper management of fuel resulting in a total loss of engine power on both engines due to fuel exhaustion.
Oct 27, 1997 TAMPA, FL N69293 Fatal (3) substantial
The pilot's failure to follow the landing checklist and extend the landing gear for landing, and his failure to maintain VMC during a go-around. Facto…

The pilot's failure to follow the landing checklist and extend the landing gear for landing, and his failure to maintain VMC during a go-around. Factors were: the pilot's diverted attention due to a non-stabilized instrument approach and his lack of recent instrument experience.

Sep 19, 1997 NANTUCKET, MA N6879Y Incident substantial
the pilot's delayed decision to perform a go-around (missed approach). Related factors were: darkness, low ceiling, fog, and disorientation of the fl…

the pilot's delayed decision to perform a go-around (missed approach). Related factors were: darkness, low ceiling, fog, and disorientation of the flight crew, while making the approach in conditions of limited visibility.

Sep 15, 1997 KIVALINA, AK N2649Z Incident substantial An overstress fracture of the nose landing gear attachment. A factor associated with the accident was the rough landing area.
Sep 08, 1997 BUCKLAND, AK N2649Z Incident substantial The failure of the pilot of the Cessna 402C, N2649Z, to maintain adequate clearance while taxiing alongside the stationary Cessna 208B, N1123R.
Jul 10, 1997 GT. HARBOUR CAY, BF N2717Y Serious (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Jun 28, 1997 SPRINGFIELD, MO N901BC Incident substantial
The pilot-in-command's (CFI) inadequate supervision and failure to take remedial action. A factor was the dual student's failure to maintain directio…

The pilot-in-command's (CFI) inadequate supervision and failure to take remedial action. A factor was the dual student's failure to maintain directional control.

Jun 02, 1997 RAWLINS, WY N1233P Serious (1) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain during the initial climb after a night takeoff. Factors include a dark night and rising ter…

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the terrain during the initial climb after a night takeoff. Factors include a dark night and rising terrain off the departure end of the runway.

Mar 03, 1997 CARACAS, VE YV784 Fatal (6) destroyed Investigation pending
Feb 08, 1997 ST. THOMAS, N318AB Fatal (2) destroyed
The failure of the pilot to maintain altitude while making a visual approach at night over water in black hole conditions resulting in the aircraft de…

The failure of the pilot to maintain altitude while making a visual approach at night over water in black hole conditions resulting in the aircraft descending and crashing into the sea. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the pilot and operator to use all available air traffic control and navigational facilities, and the FAA Principle Operations Inspector's inadequate surveillance of the operation.

Jan 25, 1997 PROVINCETOWN, MA N121PB Incident minor
the pilot's inadequate inflight planning/decision, and his misjudgment of speed and distance. Related factors were: fog, tailwind, and soft terrain o…

the pilot's inadequate inflight planning/decision, and his misjudgment of speed and distance. Related factors were: fog, tailwind, and soft terrain on the overrun area at the end of the runway.

Dec 27, 1996 MENOMINEE, MI N337PL Minor substantial
ice restricting normal brake system, normal braking not possible for the pilot and the pilot's poor in-flight planning. A factor was the pilot not pe…

ice restricting normal brake system, normal braking not possible for the pilot and the pilot's poor in-flight planning. A factor was the pilot not performing a flight to an alternate destination airport.

Aug 05, 1996 ST. BARTHELEMY, MB N403N Minor substantial Investigation pending
Jun 29, 1996 GRAND CANYON, AZ N13GM Incident substantial Failure of the pilot to properly judge his altitude during final approach resulting in an undershoot. A factor was a downdraft weather condition.
Apr 11, 1996 ST JOHNS, AZ N172VB Incident substantial
the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, his use of an overly excessive approach speed, and his misjudged distance/altitude relati…

the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, his use of an overly excessive approach speed, and his misjudged distance/altitude relationship to the runway. The wind was a factor.

Mar 13, 1996 PUNTO FIJO, VE P4AVB Fatal (8) destroyed 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 402 For Sale All Cessna Models
Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data
View 4 Cessna 402 for sale ↓