Cessna 170 Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 728 events recorded from 1982 to 2026.

728

All Events

537

Incidents

83

Minor

52

Serious

56

Fatal (98 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
Oct 04, 2007 Wadesboro, NC N5494C Incident substantial The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Jul 28, 2007 Arco, ID N3446C Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. The crosswind condition was a factor.
Jul 07, 2007 Spanaway, WA N9716A Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted takeoff from a short and narrow runway.
Jun 24, 2007 Bozeman, MT N1316D Serious (1) substantial
The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent into terrain w…

The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent into terrain while manuevering to avoid the transmission lines. The sun glare was a factor.

Jun 11, 2007 Anchorage, AK N3412D Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while landing, and his selection of an unsuitable landing site, which resulted in an in-flight co…

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while landing, and his selection of an unsuitable landing site, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a tree and an on-ground encounter with brush.

Jun 02, 2007 Smithfield, NC N9910A Incident substantial Collapse of the left main landing gear during landing, for undetermined reasons, which resulted in substantial damage during a runway excursion.
May 30, 2007 Pahokee, FL N1767D Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during a crosswind landing.
May 17, 2007 Fairfield, ID N2778C Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while turning from base to final, resulting in an inadvertent stall/mush and subsequent collision wi…

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while turning from base to final, resulting in an inadvertent stall/mush and subsequent collision with terrain.

May 04, 2007 Wasilla, AK N4217V Fatal (1) substantial A total loss of engine power during takeoff initial climb due to fuel contamination, and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection.
Apr 11, 2007 Watkins, CO N1258D Incident substantial
A total failure during landing roll of the right brake caused by severely worn shoes, causing the caliper pins to engaged misaligned. A contributing …

A total failure during landing roll of the right brake caused by severely worn shoes, causing the caliper pins to engaged misaligned. A contributing factor was the pilot's inability to maintain directional control.

Nov 18, 2006 Billings, MT N2619D Incident substantial
The flight instructor's inadequate remedial action to maintain directional control, which resulted in a ground loop/swerve during takeoff roll. A fac…

The flight instructor's inadequate remedial action to maintain directional control, which resulted in a ground loop/swerve during takeoff roll. A factor was the failure of the pilot who was receiving instruction to maintain directional control.

Sep 04, 2006 Hampton, NH N1857C Serious (2) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
Jul 24, 2006 Griffin, GA N4556C Incident substantial An in-flight encounter with weather on initial take off climb resulting in a loss of directional control and collision with the ground.
Jun 28, 2006 Vacaville, CA N2924D Minor substantial the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. A contributing factor was pilot fatigue.
Jun 24, 2006 Atwood, IL N9204A Minor substantial
The loss of engine power during approach due to carburetor ice and the uneven terrain encountered during the forced landing which caused the airplane …

The loss of engine power during approach due to carburetor ice and the uneven terrain encountered during the forced landing which caused the airplane to nose over. Weather conducive to carburetor icing was a contributing factor.

May 21, 2006 West Glacier, MT N3477C Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to attain sufficient airspeed for flight, his attempt to abort the takeoff, and the airplane's subsequent departure off the end of…

The pilot's failure to attain sufficient airspeed for flight, his attempt to abort the takeoff, and the airplane's subsequent departure off the end of the runway. Contributing factors were the impacted fence and vegetation, and his total lack of experience in type of operation.

May 07, 2006 Chickaloon, AK N2396D Incident substantial
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a nose over during the landing roll. A factor associated with the accident…

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a nose over during the landing roll. A factor associated with the accident was the snow on the runway.

Apr 28, 2006 Fort Pierce, FL N2891C Incident substantial The failure of the pilot-in-command to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Apr 23, 2006 Redlands, CA N3190A Incident substantial
the student's inadequate compensation for the crosswind gust and failure to maintain directional control. Also causal was the flight instructor's ina…

the student's inadequate compensation for the crosswind gust and failure to maintain directional control. Also causal was the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight, and his failure to maintain directional control. A factor was control interference between the two pilots during the initial stages of the loss of control.

Apr 18, 2006 Shelton, WA N2886C Incident substantial
The main landing gear wheel failure during the takeoff ground roll. A related factor was directional control of the aircraft was not possible after t…

The main landing gear wheel failure during the takeoff ground roll. A related factor was directional control of the aircraft was not possible after the wheel failure.

Apr 17, 2006 Clark Fork, ID N2288D Serious (1) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a go-around. A quartering tailwind was a factor.
Apr 12, 2006 Buena Vista, CO N1327D Incident minor The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident were the crosswinds and the wind gusts.
Apr 10, 2006 Havre, MT N2831C Incident substantial
The pilot's improper starting procedures in attempting to hand-prop the airplane's engine. Contributing factors were the discharged battery, the fail…

The pilot's improper starting procedures in attempting to hand-prop the airplane's engine. Contributing factors were the discharged battery, the failure of the right parking brake and the hangar which the aircraft collided with.

Apr 06, 2006 Hanford, CA N5561C Incident substantial the pilot's failure to maintain directional control.
Mar 31, 2006 Benton, KS N2359J Incident substantial
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane resulting in a ground loop. Contributing factors include the inadequate preflight …

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane resulting in a ground loop. Contributing factors include the inadequate preflight inspection, the pilot's failure to properly latch the cowling, and the pilot's diverted attention to the open cowling.

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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