Skip to content

NTSB investigations: Cessna 120, WI

17 cases on aircraft the registry lists as Cessna 120. 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.

Defining event

Finding

Phase of flight

Aircraft model

Cases per year

19682026

Where

Latest cases

Query with SQL

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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'WI' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA' AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('2071402')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

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.\"eventStateOrRegion\" = 'WI' AND c.\"eventCountry\" = 'USA'
    AND c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('2071402'))
  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.

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."eventStateOrRegion" = 'WI' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('2071402'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC

Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.

NTSB CEN23LA098Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 120 · Eagle River, WIThe pilot’s decision to takeoff from an unsuitable surface which resulted in collision with an object.Jan 25, 2023 · N73034 · Substantial damage NTSB CEN22LA103Accident · Serious injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 120 · Sturtevant, WIThe pilot’s loss of directional control during the takeoff for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence, which resulted in a runway excursion.Jan 18, 2022 · N90129 · Substantial damage NTSB CEN20CA317Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · Data collectionFinal reportCessna 120 · Osceola, WIThe pilots did not maintain directional control of the airplane during landing.Jul 17, 2020 · N1926N · Substantial damage NTSB GAA18CA221Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 120 · Iola, WIThe pilot’s decision to reject the takeoff from a snow-covered grass surface, which resulted in a nose-over.Apr 21, 2018 · N1807V · Substantial damage NTSB CHI04LA075Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 120 · Merrill, WIThe pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain to conduct a landing. Factors were the reported flat light conditions and the uneven terrain.Feb 21, 2004 · N73034 · Substantial damage NTSB CHI02CA279Accident · Serious injuriesData collectionFinal reportCessna 120 · Brookfield, WIThe inadequate visual outlook by the pilot during taxi.Sep 6, 2002 · N2601N · No damage NTSB CHI02LA118Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 120 · Racine, WIThe inadequate weather evaluation and delayed application of carburetor heat by the pilot, and the unsuitable terrain encountered during the forced landing. The carburetor icing conditions and the low altitude were factors.Apr 30, 2002 · N6RP · Substantial damage NTSB CHI00LA213Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 120 · Shawano, WIInadequate preflight planning and the pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff. A factor was the road embankment.Jul 21, 2000 · N2961N · Substantial damage NTSB CHI94LA278Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 120 · Manitowoc, WIthe private pilot's improper use of brakes during the landing roll. A related factor is his lack of total experience.Aug 12, 1994 · N1987V · Substantial damage NTSB CHI92FA231Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 120 · Maple, WIThe non-instrument rated private pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control.Aug 7, 1992 · N1947N · Destroyed NTSB CHI87FA185Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 120 · Oshkosh, WIThe plt was taxiing out of the antique/classic camping area at Oshkosh with the assistance of wing walkers when he stopped to permit the pax (his wife) to perform an errand. The pax deplaned & went under the outer 1/3 of the wing strut, then walked back into…Aug 5, 1987 · N76249 · No damage NTSB CHI77DER03Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 120 · Downsville, WIFeb 20, 1977 · N4276N · Substantial damage NTSB CHI74AC085Accident · 1 fatalClosedCessna 120 · Verona, WIApr 27, 1974 · N76072 · Destroyed NTSB CHI74FEP09Accident · Minor injuriesClosedCessna 120 · Okauchee, WIAug 11, 1973 · N76245 · Substantial damage NTSB CHI73FEP30Accident · Minor injuriesClosedCessna 120 · Hartford, WINov 5, 1972 · N2425N · Substantial damage NTSB CHI71DDJ42Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 120 · Lake Geneva, WIFeb 7, 1971 · N72441 · Substantial damage NTSB CHI69D0318Accident · No injuriesClosedCessna 120 · Richland Ctr, WIOct 12, 1968 · N2874N · Substantial damage