162Skycatcher
cessnaEffective Sep 29, 2026Timetable 2011–2026
What mechanics have reported to the FAA on the Cessna 162 Skycatcher, the airworthiness directives in force, and the NTSB accident record, on one sheet. 162 Skycatcher light-sport aircraft (2009–13, Continental O-200D).
Top six of ten systems. Counts reflect who reports, not how reliable the airplane is.
- Registered
- 171 in the U.S., FAA registry Sep 29, 2026
- Reports on file
- 10 since 2011
- 2016–2025
- 2, about 1.2 a year per 1,000 registered
- ADs in force
- 2 (0 airframe, 2 engine)
- Accidents
- 28 since 1995, 2 fatal
Airworthiness directives
2 in force · 0 superseded not shown
From Federal Register final rules since 1995. Whether an AD applies to a particular airplane depends on its serial number, engine and installed equipment; confirm against the FAA’s Dynamic Regulatory System.
None found in Federal Register final rules since 1995.
AD98-01-06Effective Feb 13, 1998Precision Airmotive Corporation CarburetorsRepetitive
Precision Airmotive carburetors with two-piece venturis may have loose or missing primary venturis, or fuel flow disruption when a one-piece venturi is installed, causing loss of power or forced landings. Owners must either perform repetitive inspections of two-piece venturis annually, or optionally install a one-piece venturi with a new fuel nozzle as a terminating action.
Engine models named O-200
Read the AD in the Federal RegisterADADEffective Jul 31, 1996Cessna Aircraft Company Engine Oil Filter Adapter Assemblies Installed on AircraftRepetitive
Loose or separated engine oil filter adapters can cause loss of engine oil and engine stoppage in flight. This AD requires inspecting the oil filter adapter for security and oil leakage, applying torque putty to seal the assembly, and performing repetitive inspections of the torque putty and adapter threads.
Engine models named O-200
Read the AD in the Federal RegisterEngine ADs name an engine model family used on some Skycatchers; check the exact model and serial. 2 more apply by part number only and are not listed.
Accident history
28 U.S. accidents involving the Skycatcher since 1995, 2 of them fatal, with 2 fatalities. Homebuilt aircraft excluded. Counts, not rates: they follow fleet size, hours flown and how the airplane is used.
- Ground10
- Takeoff and climb60
- Cruise11
- Maneuvering11
- Approach and descent30
- Landing160
Phase of the event the NTSB recorded as defining the accident.
- 2010–2014111
- 2015–201990
- 2020–202451
- 2025–202630
2026 is year to date. Investigations can take a year or more to reach the data.
NTSB cause findings, 2008–2026 · share of 27 accidents with findings
- 67% Personnel issues
- 41% Aircraft performance and control
- 15% Environmental issues
Most frequent cause findings
- Aircraft controlPersonnel issues13
- Decision making/judgmentPersonnel issues6
- Incorrect action performancePersonnel issues5
- Landing flare: not attained/maintainedAircraft performance and control5
- Use of equip/systemPersonnel issues2
- Airspeed: not attained/maintainedAircraft performance and control2
- Directional control: not attained/maintainedAircraft performance and control2
- Angle of attack: not attained/maintainedAircraft performance and control2
- Use of manualPersonnel issues1
- Intake anti-ice, deice: not used/operatedAircraft systems, powerplant and structure1
Findings about systems and powerplant
- Intake anti-ice, deice: not used/operatedIce/rain protection system1
Wording is the NTSB’s. An accident can carry findings in several categories. Read individual investigations in the NTSB’s CAROL database.
What gets written up
10 reports · 2011–2026
The ten systems with the most service difficulty reports, by FAA system code (JASC). Fewer than 200 reports were filed on the Skycatcher in 2016–2025, so read these as long-run patterns.
52Passenger/Crew Doors440%1
Parts most often named Latch (3) · Door Latch (1)
AT CRUISE CONFIGURATION, AFTER 30 MINUTES OF FLIGHT WITH NO ISSUES, THE RIGHT CABIN DOOR OPENED. THE FORCE OF THE EVENT BROKE THE GLASS OF THE DOOR AND DAMAGES THE ALUMINUM AND FIBERGLASS, LEAVING THE DOOR IN SUCH A CONDITION THAT RENDERED IT UNABLE TO CLOSE AGAIN. A FORCED LANDING WAS EFFECTUATED.
RT CABIN DOOR CAME OPEN IN FLIGHT, DOOR WAS LATCHED ON THE GROUND PROIR TO TAKEOFF. BOTH FRONT AND REAR DOOR LATCHES WERE CHECKED BEFORE TAKEOFF BY PUSHING ON CABIN DOOR HARD AFTER LATCHING DOOR. FRONT LATCH FAILED IN FLIGHT, REAR LATCH HELD FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND THEN FAILED. THE DOOR LATCH WAS STILL IN THE LATCHED POSITION.
RIGHT CABIN DOOR CAME OPEN IN FLIGHT. DOOR WAS LATCHED ON THE GROUND PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. BOTH FRONT AND REAR DOOR LATCHES WERE CHECKED BEFORE TAKEOFF BY PUSHING ON CABIN DOOR, HARD AFTER LATCHING DOOR. FRONT LATCH FAILED IN FLIGHT. REAR LATCH HELD FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND THEN FAILED. THE DOOR LATCH HANDLE WAS STILL IN THE LATCHED POSITION.
32Landing Gear Brake System110%0
Parts most often named Line (1)
LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE CONTROL DUE TO CRACKED BRAKE LINE AT PILOT RT PEDAL. THE DESIGN CREATES A TIGHT FLEXING BEND RADIUS ON THE PLASTIC BRAKE LINE THAT FATIGUES AGAINST A METAL FITTING CAUSING A CRACK AND LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE CONTROL.
71Engine Mount Section110%0
Parts most often named Mount (1)
34Flt Manage. Computing Hardware Sys110%1
Parts most often named Adc (1)
GSU 73 AIR DATA COMPUTER STOPS GIVING ALTITUDE AND SPEED INFORMATION TO THE GDU 370 DISPLAY AFTER 40 MINUTES OF FLIGHT. DID THIS THE LAST THREE FLIGHTS. CALLED GARMIN AND THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY HELP.
32Nose/Tail Landing Gear110%0
Parts most often named Strut (1)
28Fuel Selector/Shut-Off Valve110%0
Parts most often named Shutoff Valve (1)
76Power Lever110%0
Parts most often named Throttle Cable (1)
Open a row to read what mechanics wrote. Tail and serial numbers are removed.
At the pre-buy
My pre-buy card · Skycatcher
0 of 7 looked at
The components written up most often since 2011. Take this to the pre-buy and ask your inspector about each one; tap a mark to record what they found. Saved on this device only.
- Passenger/Crew Doors
- Fuel Selector/Shut-Off Valve
- Landing Gear Brake System
- Power Lever
- Engine Mount Section
- Nose/Tail Landing Gear
- Flt Manage. Computing Hardware Sys
A starting point for the conversation with your inspector, not maintenance advice.
What buyers get caught by
The expensive surprises on any used airplane are missing logbooks, corrosion under paint, outstanding ADs, an engine near overhaul, and the same squawk written up again and again. The card lists where the Skycatcher gets written up; the AD timetable below lists what the FAA requires.
Ask for the logbook entries that match each item. A repeated entry is a pattern, not a coincidence.
Alerts for the Skycatcher
An email when a new airworthiness directive names the Skycatcher, or when reports on it spike. Alerts are starting soon: leave your email and we’ll send a confirmation link before anything else. Unsubscribe anytime.
We store only your email and which pages you follow. We never share it.