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Fatal NTSB investigations: Cessna 140

74 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Cessna 140. Aircraft are matched to the registry by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model, so older matches can be wrong.

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19642026

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duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c.\"mKey\" AND a.position = 1
  WHERE c.\"highestInjuryLevel\" = 'Fatal'
    AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('2071602', '2071603'))
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

NTSB WPR25FA257Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldPreliminary reportCessna 140 · Shelter Cove, CAOn August 17, 2025 about 1521 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 140, N89447, was involved in an accident near Shelter Cove, California. The student pilot was fatally injured, and the passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14…Aug 17, 2025 · N89447NTSB ERA22FA233Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 140 · Wayne, NEThe pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack on final approach while conducting traditional short takeoff and landing operations in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin from which the pilot could not…May 20, 2022 · N76075 · DestroyedNTSB WPR21LA166Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 140 · Williams, AZThe pilot’s loss of control due to spatial disorientation shortly after takeoff in night visual meteorological conditions.Apr 16, 2021 · N2506N · Substantial damageNTSB CEN19FA307Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportCessna 140 · Lakeview, SDThe student pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle-of-attack, an aerodynamic stall, and subsequent impact with terrain, and the student pilot’s non-compliance and lack of…Sep 8, 2019 · N73000 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA18FA152Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Daytona Beach, FLThe pilot's inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation during the initial climb, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed while turning back to the runway, which resulted in an exceedance of the…May 22, 2018 · N89864 · DestroyedNTSB CEN16FA054Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Keytesville, MOThe non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to operate in dark night conditions with low clouds, which resulted in a loss of control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's use of methamphetamine, which impaired his…Dec 7, 2015 · N90123 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA14FA327Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Parma, NYThe pilot's decision to land with a quartering tailwind and his failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Contributing to the severity of the pilot's injuries was the failure of the aluminum center safety belt bracket.Jul 5, 2014 · N76850 · Substantial damageNTSB CHI08LA080Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Grand Meadow, MNThe pilot's continued visual flight into an area of known instrument meteorological conditions in an airplane not equipped for instrument flight, and his failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering at low altitude.Feb 8, 2008 · N3537V · Substantial damageNTSB CHI03LA282Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Edwardsburg, MIThe pilot not maintaining altitude/clearance from the power line during his low level cruise. Factors were the power transmission line, the lake, and low altitude flight.Aug 24, 2003 · N140GS · Substantial damageNTSB CHI98FA299Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · St. Joseph, MOthe pilot not maintaining a proper final approach glide path to avoid an encounter with wake turbulence. A factor in this accident was the pilot not being able to control the airplane after its encounter with wake turbulence.Aug 4, 1998 · N2364V · DestroyedNTSB SEA97LA182Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Vancouver, WAAircraft control was not maintained. Continued operation with known deficiencies in equipment and movement restrictions to an exhaust valve were factors.Aug 4, 1997 · N2076N · Substantial damageNTSB CHI97FA095Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Big Lake, MNThe pilot's maneuvers which exceeded the design stress limits of the airplane and resulted in structural overload of the horizontal tail followed by a structural overload of the wings.Mar 29, 1997 · N77166 · DestroyedNTSB CHI95LA291Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Mio, MIthe pilot's impairment of judgement and performance which led to performing a low altitude maneuver with insufficient altitude for recovery. A factor was the tailwind.Aug 21, 1995 · N76429 · DestroyedNTSB NYC95FA162Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Danielsville, PAThe flight crew's improper in-flight planning/decision, and failure to maintain adequate clearance (or altitude) from mountainous terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, fog, low clouds, and the high terrain.Jul 18, 1995 · N72546 · DestroyedNTSB ATL94LA067Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Celina, TNThe pilot's failure to maintain a proper altitude, and his failure to maintain clearance from the transmission wire.Mar 23, 1994 · N76342 · DestroyedNTSB NYC93LA072Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Doylestown, PAFailure of the pilot passenger to maintain adequate airspeed and the failure of the pilot in command to adequately supervise the flight.Apr 7, 1993 · N46TM · Substantial damageNTSB FTW93FA080Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Jefferson, TXInadvertent stall. A factor was the pilot's performance of aerobatics at low altitudeFeb 7, 1993 · N76970 · DestroyedNTSB ATL92FA040Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Columbia, SCThe pilot-in-command's failure to assure that an adequate supply of fuel was on board the airplane for the intended flight, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the forced landing resulting in a stall/spin. A factor contributing to the…Jan 16, 1992 · N1976N · Substantial damageNTSB SEA91FA039Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Port Orchard, WAThe pilot's failure to initiate an aborted takeoff at a time that left adequate runway remaining to bring the aircraft to a stop.Jan 3, 1991 · N77179 · Substantial damageNTSB MKC86FA123Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Des Arc, ARNumerous witnesses on a sandbar in the white river observed this collision of two airplanes as they were flying close together, low, over the river. Of the nine witness statements received, five had the Piper PA-28-140 hitting the Cessna 140, three had the…Jun 1, 1986 · N89247 · 2 aircraft · DestroyedNTSB FTW85FA245Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Tioga, TXWitnesses observed the acft apchg from the northwest at an estimated alt of about 100 ft AGL. As it passed their position, the plt rolled into a steep (90 deg) right bank, then roll back out. The witnesses reported that after the acft rolled out of the bank,…Jun 4, 1985 · N3180N · DestroyedNTSB ATL85FA140Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Hawesville, KYThe acft collided with and sunk into the Ohio river following a wing separation after contacting the lowest wire in a set of 3 power lines which spanned the river. Two other wires were located above the set of 3 power lines. Witnesses on and near the river…Apr 19, 1985 · N72587 · DestroyedNTSB LAX85FA198Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Petaluma, CAThe ATP plt initiated a short x-country flt at night in an acft with no attitude gyro instruments. Just before the acft crashed, witnesses heard the acft. They reported that the eng sounded like the plt was doing stunts or sharp turns. They said they could…Apr 11, 1985 · N140MC · DestroyedNTSB SEA83FA058Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 140 · Moses Lake, WAThe flight originated at the pilots private farm strip. The pilot stated that during the flight the engine 'sputtered and died'. During a power off landing attempt the passenger grabbed the controls according to the pilot. The pilot said he fought for control…Mar 3, 1983 · N89050 · DestroyedNTSB LAX82FA218Accident · 4 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Corona, CABoth aircraft (a Cessna 150L, N18007 and a Cessna 140, N90006) had taken off from the Corona municipal airport, sometime around noon on 6/12/82. The Cessna 150 pilot and passenger were on a flight to porterville, CA, while the Cessna 140 pilot and passenger…Jun 12, 1982 · N18007 · 2 aircraft · DestroyedNTSB MIA80FA038Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Homestead, FLFeb 25, 1980 · N76663 · DestroyedNTSB FTW79DA093Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Basile, LAJul 6, 1979 · N1607V · DestroyedNTSB CHI79FA054Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Springbrook, WIJul 1, 1979 · N1972J · DestroyedNTSB MKC78FA043Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Wolbach, NEMay 31, 1978 · N76011 · DestroyedNTSB LAX78FA038Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Buckeye, AZMar 27, 1978 · N90119 · DestroyedNTSB LAX77FA023Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Riverside, CAJan 12, 1977 · N2155V · 2 aircraft · DestroyedNTSB MKC76AK066Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Lake Mills, IAJul 10, 1976 · N89103 · DestroyedNTSB IAD75AI017Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Greensboro, NCSep 28, 1974 · N77339 · DestroyedNTSB DEN75AD012Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Virginia Dle, COSep 12, 1974 · N72537 · DestroyedNTSB FTW74AF087Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Sand Springs, OKMay 27, 1974 · N76819 · DestroyedNTSB OAK74AP038Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Calistoga, CAFeb 5, 1974 · N72299 · DestroyedNTSB DEN74AD013Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Divide, COOct 2, 1973 · N89304 · Substantial damageNTSB CHI73AC042Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Gilmore, OHOct 18, 1972 · N89593 · DestroyedNTSB NYC73ANO61Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Gaffney, SCSep 17, 1972 · N2218N · DestroyedNTSB FTW72AF047Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Freeport, TXJan 23, 1972 · N75J · DestroyedNTSB LAX71AL065Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Phoenix, AZMay 4, 1971 · N89482 · DestroyedNTSB CHI71AC045Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Vergennes, ILDec 19, 1970 · N2035N · Substantial damageNTSB MKC70AK061Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Waldron, MOMay 16, 1970 · N89874 · DestroyedNTSB SEA79FA059Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Lester, WANov 2, 1969 · N2050N · DestroyedNTSB NYC70A0047Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Middleport, NYOct 26, 1969 · N2389V · Substantial damageNTSB MKC70A0014Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Hartley, IAOct 1, 1969 · N1984V · DestroyedNTSB SEA70A0010Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Newport, ORAug 14, 1969 · N2225N · DestroyedNTSB LAX69A0067Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Temecula, CAMay 13, 1969 · N1950N · DestroyedNTSB SEA69A0018Accident · 2 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Snoqualmie P, WASep 1, 1968 · N76588 · DestroyedNTSB SEA69A0014Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 140 · Busby, MTAug 23, 1968 · N2278V · Destroyed