How many accidents has the Cessna 180A had?

The NTSB has recorded 61 events involving the Cessna 180A: 2 fatal, 1 serious, 7 minor injuries, and 51 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Cessna 180A a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Cessna 180A has 61 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Cessna 180A Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 61 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.

All Events

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (3 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Aug 21, 1999	BELGRADE, MT	N5359D	Incident	substantial	Clearance from objects was not maintained during taxiing. Factors include the pilot's inadequate visual lookout.
Aug 01, 1999	GUSTAVUS, AK	N6180	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadvertent ground loop/swerve.
Jul 05, 1999	WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN	N9780B	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inability to get the airplane to climb for undetermined reason, and the pilot landing the floatplane on the lake with the wheels extended.… the pilot's inability to get the airplane to climb for undetermined reason, and the pilot landing the floatplane on the lake with the wheels extended. Factors contributing to this accident were the pilot's failure to perform a before landing checklist, pressure induced by the event, and the precautionary landing.
Feb 27, 1996	HILLSBORO, OR	N9669B	Incident	substantial	the failure of the pilot to identify the unsuitable taxi area, and the failure of airport maintenance personnel to properly identify a construction ar… the failure of the pilot to identify the unsuitable taxi area, and the failure of airport maintenance personnel to properly identify a construction area.
Oct 27, 1995	GOOSE LAKE, IA	N185F	Incident	substantial	inadequate maintenance, inadequate preflight by the pilot, and a loose fuel tank cap that allowed siphoning of fuel, buckling of the right fuel bladde… inadequate maintenance, inadequate preflight by the pilot, and a loose fuel tank cap that allowed siphoning of fuel, buckling of the right fuel bladder, fuel exhaustion, and loss of engine power. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, and the soft terrain and crop in the emergency landing area.
Sep 10, 1995	GLENNALLEN, AK	N94259	Incident	destroyed	The pilot's selection of an unsuitable area for takeoff. The water condition with large waves/swells was a related factor.
Apr 15, 1995	BETHEL, AK	N9736B	Incident	substantial	THE CESSNA PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE FROM THE TRANSPORT AIRPLANE WHILE TAXIING, AND THE GROUND PERSONNEL'S INADEQUATE LOOKOUT W… THE CESSNA PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE FROM THE TRANSPORT AIRPLANE WHILE TAXIING, AND THE GROUND PERSONNEL'S INADEQUATE LOOKOUT WHILE MARSHALLING THE TRANSPORT AIRPLANE FROM THE RAMP.
Feb 10, 1994	ANCHORAGE, AK	N288LS	Incident	substantial	THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE P… THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE IN THE AIRPLANE.
Sep 20, 1993	CHARLIE LAKE, AK	N9600B	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT DELAYED HIS DECISION TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF, AND DID NOT FOLLOW THE STANDARD PROCEDURES/DIRECTIVES FOR THE ABORTED TAKEOFF. FACTORS WERE THE … THE PILOT DELAYED HIS DECISION TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF, AND DID NOT FOLLOW THE STANDARD PROCEDURES/DIRECTIVES FOR THE ABORTED TAKEOFF. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION, AND THE ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN.
Jun 06, 1993	ANCHORAGE, AK	N5252D	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTION CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING LANDING. THE TAILWIND WAS A FACTOR.
Aug 19, 1991	KING SALMON, AK	N26CZ	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE TAKEOFF RUN. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ROUGH WATER.
Sep 16, 1990	PAISLEY, OR	N9669B	Incident	substantial	PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A LANDING SITE.
Jan 19, 1989	ARLINGTON, WA	N9104R	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO HAND-PROP THE ENGINE WITHOUT PROPERLY SECURING IT.
Jul 27, 1988	NORTHWAY, AK	N5327D	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Apr 26, 1988	DANVILLE, KY	N9712B	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Feb 24, 1988	PRESCOTT, AZ	N26AW	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Sep 29, 1985	GLENNALLEN, AK	N5353D	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Aug 18, 1985	BUXTON, OR	N9607B	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Feb 01, 1985	SIOUX, SD	CFCBT	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Sep 01, 1984	SCAPPOOSE, OR	N601N	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Feb 19, 1984	TRUCKEE, CA	N9764B	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Nov 27, 1983	COALINGA, CA	N5016E	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Nov 26, 1983	PORTALES, NM	N5212D	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Nov 17, 1983	TOPEKA, KS	N7814A	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Jul 06, 1983	HAWTHORNE, NV	N5328D	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 180A Safety Record

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