Cessna 501 — registry & accident history
Compiled from FAA & NTSB records · as of Jul 18, 2026
There are 308 Cessna 501 airframes on record (built 1969–1999), 189 currently registered. 8 have one or more NTSB accident records (8 records total, 5 with a fatal highest-injury classification). Data as of Jul 18, 2026.
Recent Cessna 501 accidents
The pilot’s loss of airplane control during climb due to spatial disorientation.
The malfunction of the left main landing gear down lock, which resulted in a gear collapse upon landing.
The pilots’ loss of control in flight in freezing instrument meteorological conditions due to spatial disorientation and the cumulative effects of task saturation.
The pilot's failure to use supplemental oxygen as required during high-altitude flight, which resulted in his loss of consciousness following a loss of cabin pressurization. Contributing to the accident was the separation of the air conditioning system's primary pressurization duct and the subsequent failure of the aft pressure bulkhead check valve flapper due to progressive weakening from age.
The pilot's failure to achieve a stabilized approach, resulting in a nose-first, bounced landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's activation of only one thrust reverser, resulting in asymmetrical thrust.
A loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.