Cessna 320 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 89 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.

89

All Events

41

Incidents

7

Minor

7

Serious

34

Fatal (81 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Mar 16, 1999 BROOMFIELD, CO N4127T Incident substantial
A partial loss of power on the left engine for undetermined reasons. A factor was the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft…

A partial loss of power on the left engine for undetermined reasons. A factor was the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during landing flare/touchdown.

May 27, 1998 ROCKPORT, TX N986J Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a go around which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Factors were the pilot's lack of experience in th…

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a go around which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Factors were the pilot's lack of experience in the make and model aircraft, his failure to follow the before landing checklist, and his improper use of the powerplant controls.

May 01, 1998 GREYBULL, WY N3316Q Incident substantial Stress overload failure of the bellcrank assembly of the left landing gear.
Feb 27, 1998 LINCOLN, ME N6189Q Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude which resulted in left main landing gear contacting a snowbank during the landing approach.
Jul 18, 1997 W. YELLOWSTONE, MT N3425Q Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing when asymmetric power was applied. A factor was the crosswind conditions.
Oct 18, 1996 LONGMONT, CO N430N Incident substantial The partial failure of the fuel control servo, causing an excessive flow/output of fuel to, and flooding of, the right engine.
Sep 19, 1996 WACO, TX N3020T Fatal (1) destroyed
VFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude or clearance from the terrain. Fac…

VFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude or clearance from the terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: inadequate preflight by the pilot, his failure to obtain a weather briefing, darkness, adverse weather conditions, lack of fuel to proceed to an alternate destination, pressure induced on the pilot by an urgent need to get to a real estate license renewal class, and pilot anxiety/depression.

Jun 03, 1996 WINSLOW, ME N78KA Fatal (1) destroyed
the pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather conditions, and his loss of aircraft control, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into t…

the pilot's continued flight into known adverse weather conditions, and his loss of aircraft control, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent into terrain (river). The known icing condition was a related factor.

May 15, 1996 PROVO, UT N600JR Fatal (2) destroyed
A fuel leak most probably ignited by hot exhaust gases from the leaking right engine manifold exhaust system, the decision by the pilots to operate th…

A fuel leak most probably ignited by hot exhaust gases from the leaking right engine manifold exhaust system, the decision by the pilots to operate the aircraft with knowledge of the fuel leak, and the pilot-in-command's failure to maintain adequate clearance with the lake surface.

Apr 28, 1996 MAMMOTH LAKES, CA N5752X Incident substantial
the partial failure of the right engine turbocharger wastegate butterfly valve to fully close due to mechanical binding and the low setting of its ass…

the partial failure of the right engine turbocharger wastegate butterfly valve to fully close due to mechanical binding and the low setting of its associated absolute pressure controller. A related factor was the high density altitude which reduced the engine's ability to produce adequate manifold pressure.

Aug 23, 1995 GUNNISON, CO N5720X Minor substantial FUEL EXHAUSTION INDUCED POWER LOSS DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL. A FACTOR WAS HIS DISORIENTATION.
Aug 28, 1994 HOOD RIVER, OR N9833L Serious (1) substantial The pilot's failure to insure that the fuel selector was in the proper position which resulted in fuel starvation.
Aug 16, 1994 WAYNESBORO, PA N85WM Fatal (2) destroyed
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall/spin and his lack of qualification to conduct flight in type aircraft. A …

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall/spin and his lack of qualification to conduct flight in type aircraft. A factor is the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.

May 28, 1994 BATTLE MOUNTAIN, NV N3472Q Fatal (2) destroyed THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN TERRAIN CLEARANCE WHILE MANEUVERING DURING A LOW LEVEL AERIAL MAPPING FLIGHT. A FACTOR WAS THE BOX CANYON.
Feb 09, 1994 GOSHEN, IN N618X Fatal (1) substantial
the pilot-in-command's continued operation with known deficiencies in equipment. Factors were ice on the windshield and the pilot-in-commands visual …

the pilot-in-command's continued operation with known deficiencies in equipment. Factors were ice on the windshield and the pilot-in-commands visual outlook not possible.

Oct 30, 1993 SPIRIT LAKE, ID N3057T Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS A FACTOR.
May 28, 1993 ANCHORAGE, AK N4198T Incident substantial
AN UNDETERMINED FAILURE THAT RESULTED IN AN OVERVOLTAGE CONDITION OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, OVERHEATING OF THE BATTERY, OVERDRIVE (OVERTORQUE) OF THE …

AN UNDETERMINED FAILURE THAT RESULTED IN AN OVERVOLTAGE CONDITION OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, OVERHEATING OF THE BATTERY, OVERDRIVE (OVERTORQUE) OF THE LANDING GEAR EXTENSION SYSTEM, A DISCONNECT OF THE EMERGENCY EXTENSION SYSTEM, AND A SUSBSEQUENT COLLAPSE OF THE MAIN GEAR WHEN IT COULD NOT BE LOCKED IN THE EXTENDED POSITION.

Apr 21, 1993 NO. LITTLE ROCK, AR N3057T Incident substantial THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO FOLLOW THE CHECKLIST. A FACTOR WAS THE POPPED CIRCUIT BREAKER
Apr 17, 1993 MESA, AZ N5711X Incident substantial
the separation of the steering spring from the steering yoke assembly due to inadequate installation. A factor in the accident was inadequate mainten…

the separation of the steering spring from the steering yoke assembly due to inadequate installation. A factor in the accident was inadequate maintenance on the aircraft.

Sep 24, 1992 LOWELL, ID N9811L Incident destroyed
RAM INDUCTION AIR STARVATION OF BOTH ENGINES AND INABILITY OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO CLEAR TREES DURING THE FORCED LANDING. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO T…

RAM INDUCTION AIR STARVATION OF BOTH ENGINES AND INABILITY OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO CLEAR TREES DURING THE FORCED LANDING. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE LOW CEILINGS AND TREES.

Sep 14, 1992 DARLINGTON, SC N5754X Incident substantial THE IMPROPER SERVICING OF THE AIRPLANE WITH CONTAMINATED FUEL BY THE OWNER PILOT.
Aug 09, 1992 NOVATO, CA N3014R Incident substantial THE LOCKED LEFT BRAKE ASSEMBLY DUE TO THE MISSING BRAKE RETAINING CLIPS.
Jun 18, 1992 AZTEC, NM N3307Q Incident substantial
FAILURE OF THE RIGHT PROPELLER TO FEATHER AND INOPERATIVE GEAR RETRACTION SYSTEM. FACTORS WERE THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND THE POWER LOSS DUE TO CON…

FAILURE OF THE RIGHT PROPELLER TO FEATHER AND INOPERATIVE GEAR RETRACTION SYSTEM. FACTORS WERE THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND THE POWER LOSS DUE TO CONNECTING ROD FAILURE.

Oct 06, 1991 GADSDEN, AL N4726X Minor substantial
FUEL STARVATION DUE TO INCORRECT FUEL LINE INSTALLATIONS, AN INOPERATIVE FUEL BOOST PUMP, AND INCORRECT PILOT PROCEDURE. A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WA…

FUEL STARVATION DUE TO INCORRECT FUEL LINE INSTALLATIONS, AN INOPERATIVE FUEL BOOST PUMP, AND INCORRECT PILOT PROCEDURE. A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL OPERATION WITH A KNOWN FUEL SYSTEM DEFICIENCY.

Jul 08, 1991 RENO, NV N3011T Incident substantial THE FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE PROPELLER FEATHERING COUNTER WEIGHT CLAMP ASSEMBLY.
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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