How many accidents has the Cessna 404 had?

The NTSB has recorded 39 events involving the Cessna 404: 12 fatal, 3 serious, 2 minor injuries, and 22 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Cessna 404 a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Cessna 404 has 39 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Cessna 404 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 39 events recorded from 1982 to 2024.

All Events

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (42 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Sep 18, 2021	Sheridan, WY	N5409G	Incident	substantial	The pilot experiencing an episode of impaired behavior and incapacitation for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Apr 07, 2010	Ponce, PR	N6035	Incident	substantial	A loss of power to the right engine for undetermined reasons.
Jun 06, 2009	Englewood, CO	N37127	Incident	substantial	The failure of the landing gear to extend due to the failure of a hydraulic line.
Dec 26, 2002	Windhoek, WA	V5-WAA	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Apr 15, 2000	LANSING, MI	N26SA	Incident	substantial	A loss of engine power due to improper fuel. Also causal was the improper aircraft service by the fixed base operator personnel and the unsuitable te… A loss of engine power due to improper fuel. Also causal was the improper aircraft service by the fixed base operator personnel and the unsuitable terrain for the forced landing encountered by the pilot. Factors were the improper grade of fuel and the lack of suitable terrain for the landing.
Aug 10, 1995	RAIFORD, FL	N461MC	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING.
Jun 27, 1995	ALAMOSA, CO	N36998	Incident	substantial	FBO PERSONNEL IMPROPERLY SERVICED THE AIRCRAFT WITH JET FUEL. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.
Dec 17, 1993	BIG RAPIDS, MI	N8919G	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S DESCENT BELOW THE MINIMUM DESCENT ALTITUDE.
Jul 12, 1993	CINCINNATI, OH	N37167	Incident	substantial	THE FAILURE OF A NUMBER THREE ENGINE CYLINDER HOLD DOWN BOLT DUE TO FATIGUE.
Nov 27, 1992	TUCSON, AZ	N5429J	Incident	destroyed	THE PILOT'S INFLIGHT DECISION TO DEVIATE FROM THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE MANUAL AND THE PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK BY MAINTAINING THE FUEL MIXTURE AT FULL … THE PILOT'S INFLIGHT DECISION TO DEVIATE FROM THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE MANUAL AND THE PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK BY MAINTAINING THE FUEL MIXTURE AT FULL RICH THROUGHOUT THE MISSION AND RAPIDLY DESCENDING THE AIRPLANE WHICH RESULTED IN BOTH ENGINE'S LOSING TOTAL POWER. FACTORS IN THIS ACCIDENT WERE 1) THE PILOT NOT FOLLOWING THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURE FOR BOTH ENGINES FAILING AS OUTLINED IN THE PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK, AND 2) THE PILOT NOT PERFORMING A FLARE DURING THE LANDING SEQUENCE WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE COLLIDING WITH THE TERRAIN.
Nov 13, 1990	PITTSBURGH, PA	N54SA	Incident	substantial	A FAILURE OF NOSE LANDING GEAR RETRACTION CYLINDER ATTACH POINTS WHICH ALLOWED THE NOSE LANDING GEAR TO COLLAPSE.
Feb 13, 1990	ENGLEWOOD, CO	N409EX	Incident	substantial	THE COLLAPSE OF THE NOSE GEAR ASSEMBLY FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.
Jun 21, 1986	ST MARYS, AK	N4450M	Incident	minor	Investigation pending
May 01, 1986	MARQUETTE, MI	N313R	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Mar 15, 1986	MC RAE, GA	N408EX	Incident	—	Investigation pending
Nov 29, 1985	CHICAGO, IL	N167SA	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Aug 28, 1985	HUNTINGTON, WV	N255CS	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Jan 08, 1985	SALT LAKE CITY, UT	N2681B	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Jun 20, 1984	SAN FRANCISCO, CA	N5340J	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Feb 02, 1984	COVINGTON, KY	N402EX	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
May 24, 1982	CHARLOTTE, NC	N88694	Incident	minor	Investigation pending
Feb 19, 1982	OSHKOSH, WI	N6761H	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.

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Cessna 404 Safety Record

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