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
Nov 28, 1996 EL CAJON, CA N1729D Incident substantial
failure of the pilot to maintain directional control, which resulted in a ground swerve. The pilot's low total time in conventional gear aircraft was…

failure of the pilot to maintain directional control, which resulted in a ground swerve. The pilot's low total time in conventional gear aircraft was a related factor.

Nov 15, 1996 MANVEL, TX N25JM Incident substantial Loss of aircraft control due to the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind. A factor was the crosswind.
Oct 25, 1996 UTICA, MT N2419D Incident substantial The pilot's improper use of the brakes, while landing a tailwheel aircraft in crosswind conditions. The crosswind was a related factor.
Sep 22, 1996 ENTERPRISE, OR N2496D Incident substantial
the pilot's misjudgment of speed and distance during the approach/landing, his failure to attain a proper touchdown point during the landing, and his …

the pilot's misjudgment of speed and distance during the approach/landing, his failure to attain a proper touchdown point during the landing, and his failure to go around (while there was sufficient runway remaining). The short runway was a related factor.

Sep 13, 1996 CONCORD, CA N2916D Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. The 40-degree crosswind component was a factor in this accident.
Sep 09, 1996 DILLINGHAM, AK N2989D Incident substantial the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for taxiing.
Aug 18, 1996 CANTWELL, AK N3546C Incident substantial A failure of the pilot to provide sufficient takeoff distance from the edge of the departure lake and his premature liftoff.
Jul 30, 1996 NORTHWAY, AK N4464B Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing.
Jul 18, 1996 TYONEK, AK N2813C Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Jul 13, 1996 ARLINGTON, WA N170EC Incident substantial
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve. The crosswind and wet runway were …

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve. The crosswind and wet runway were related factors.

Jul 12, 1996 LEWISTOWN, MT N3156A Incident substantial
the pilot's inadequate compensation for the changing wind conditions, and his failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in an inadverten…

the pilot's inadequate compensation for the changing wind conditions, and his failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve. The sudden windshift was a related factor.

Jun 22, 1996 SOUTHSIDE, AL N9230A Incident substantial
failure of an oil line between the engine and the oil cooler, which resulted in loss of oil, oil starvation, and subsequent seizure of the engine. Fa…

failure of an oil line between the engine and the oil cooler, which resulted in loss of oil, oil starvation, and subsequent seizure of the engine. Factors relating to the accident were: the effects of a tailwind during the forced landing, and failure of the pilot to achieve the proper touchdown point during the landing.

Jun 17, 1996 FAIRBANKS, AK N2848C Incident substantial
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing and the failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. A factor in the accident was…

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing and the failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. A factor in the accident was an airstrip that was rough and uneven.

May 19, 1996 WHARTON, TX N9131A Incident substantial failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve.
May 06, 1996 PALMER, AK N3193B Incident destroyed The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff.
May 01, 1996 DILLINGHAM, AK N1828C Incident substantial rotation (slippage) of the tire on the rim, and shearing of the valve stem, which allowed the rim to contact the ground and then separate.
Apr 17, 1996 CHICKEN, AK N39781 Incident substantial
The first pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a tree. Factors in the accident were the first pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparat…

The first pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a tree. Factors in the accident were the first pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation and soft snow conditions.

Jan 02, 1996 BAKER CITY, OR N2761D Incident substantial
the pilot's premature lift-off and inadequate airspeed following liftoff. His use of a public highway as a takeoff area, and a motor vehicle on the h…

the pilot's premature lift-off and inadequate airspeed following liftoff. His use of a public highway as a takeoff area, and a motor vehicle on the highway, were factors.

Dec 16, 1995 JOHN DAY, OR N3171B Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER GLIDEPATH.
Sep 09, 1995 HARTWELL, GA N8233E Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL AND FAILURE TO TAKE APPROPRIATE REMEDIAL ACTION. A FACTOR WAS TREES.
Aug 09, 1995 TITUSVILLE, FL N2715D Incident substantial LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LIMITED EXPERIENCE IN THE MAKE AND MODEL AIRPLANE.
Jul 17, 1995 AFTON, WY N3165B Incident substantial DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION AND A STALL NOT IDENTIFIED.
Jul 13, 1995 COLUMBIA, CA N3981V Incident substantial
the pilot's selection of the wrong runway for the existing wind conditions; his inadequate compensation for the resulting crosswind situation; and his…

the pilot's selection of the wrong runway for the existing wind conditions; his inadequate compensation for the resulting crosswind situation; and his failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft.

Jun 15, 1995 GULKANA, AK N4512C Incident substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL.
May 12, 1995 CHICKALOON, AK N4366B Incident substantial
THE FRACTURE OF THE CRANKSHAFT RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE PROPELLER AND PROPELLER FLANGE IN-FLIGHT. A FACTOR ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT WAS THE …

THE FRACTURE OF THE CRANKSHAFT RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE PROPELLER AND PROPELLER FLANGE IN-FLIGHT. A FACTOR ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING.

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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