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
Mar 31, 2001 Lincoln, CA N4315B Incident substantial
The certified flight instructor's inadequate supervision of his dual student who used excessive braking on landing resulting in the airplane's nose ov…

The certified flight instructor's inadequate supervision of his dual student who used excessive braking on landing resulting in the airplane's nose over.

Mar 04, 2001 South Haven, MN N2577D Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from the terrain during the maneuver to avoid the tree line. Factors to the accident were the dimi…

The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from the terrain during the maneuver to avoid the tree line. Factors to the accident were the diminished aircraft handling, the pilot's maneuver to avoid the tree line, the unsuitable terrain for takeoff selected by the pilot, the snow covered lake, and the tree line.

Jan 06, 2001 EASTSOUND, WA N1703D Serious (2) substantial
The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat prior to reducing engine power to idle while operating in serious carburetor icing conditions. Factors incl…

The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat prior to reducing engine power to idle while operating in serious carburetor icing conditions. Factors include serious carburetor icing conditions, and trees in the area where the pilot found it necessary to attempt a forced landing.

Oct 12, 2000 SAN CARLOS, CA N2562D Incident substantial The pilot's improper and excessive application of brakes resulting from his failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout.
Sep 16, 2000 ALTURUS, CA N4590C Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing. A factor was the fa…

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing. A factor was the faded improperly maintained windsock.

Sep 05, 2000 MEXIA, TX N1447D Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors were the gusty crosswind and the pilot's failure to perform a go-around upon encounte…

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors were the gusty crosswind and the pilot's failure to perform a go-around upon encountering a windshift/crosswind.

Aug 18, 2000 NAMPA, ID N3007A Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the balked landing.
Jun 23, 2000 WASILLA, AK N2514D Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. A factor associated with the accident is the pilot's excessive use of the brakes.
Jun 11, 2000 DUTCH JOHN, UT N4514C Incident destroyed The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the trees. Factors were a high-density altitude and wind gusts.
May 13, 2000 BEDFORD, WY N8319A Incident substantial The pilot's inadvertent ground loop. A factor was the soft grass airstrip.
May 08, 2000 DELTA JUNCTION, AK N992EZ Incident substantial A loss of engine power due to an undetermined reason. A factor in the accident was unsuitable terrain for a forced landing.
Apr 21, 2000 ST. PAUL, MN N1233D Incident substantial the broken landing gear axle.
Apr 13, 2000 IGIUGIG, AK N2790C Incident substantial
The pilot's intentional flight into known adverse weather. Factors associated with the accident were the variable crosswind conditions, and the pilot'…

The pilot's intentional flight into known adverse weather. Factors associated with the accident were the variable crosswind conditions, and the pilot's inadequate compensation for those wind conditions.

Mar 28, 2000 LOPEZ ISLAND, WA N4653C Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during landing. Contributing factors were the crosswind condition, gusts, and the pilot's overall la…

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during landing. Contributing factors were the crosswind condition, gusts, and the pilot's overall lack of total (flight and tail wheel) experience.

Mar 05, 2000 BIG LAKE, AK N2814C Incident substantial The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff. Factors in the accident were soft, snow-covered terrain, and an inadvertent ground loop.
Dec 29, 1999 OAKLAND, AL N3276A Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to verify that his seat was locked prior to takeoff. The subsequent bounce on takeoff enabled the seat to shift aft thereby reduc…

The pilot's failure to verify that his seat was locked prior to takeoff. The subsequent bounce on takeoff enabled the seat to shift aft thereby reducing the pilot's access to controls leading to the inadvertent loss of control and ground impact with trees. Contributing factors were rough and uneven runway surface and the trees.

Oct 31, 1999 EL MIRAGE, CA N9063A Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of his airplane, which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop.
Sep 10, 1999 AUBURN, WA N3476D Incident substantial
Loss of directional control due to deficient brakes and tailwheel. Factors include leaking brake cylinder, loose tailwheel casting, and obstructions …

Loss of directional control due to deficient brakes and tailwheel. Factors include leaking brake cylinder, loose tailwheel casting, and obstructions (VASI lights) in the path of the airplane as it left the runway.

Sep 03, 1999 BRADY, TX N3865V Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a dirt bank.
Aug 29, 1999 COOPER LANDING, AK N3402D Fatal (2) destroyed The pilot's inadvertent stall.
Aug 04, 1999 CASPER, WY N4448B Incident substantial The pilot's selection of a wrong runway for landing and his failure to maintain directional control.
Jul 01, 1999 WASILLA, AK N2806C Incident substantial The student pilot's inadvertent ground loop during the takeoff roll. A factor in this accident was the a left crosswind.
Jun 22, 1999 DURANGO, CO N4163V Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during landing roll. A factor was the high density altitude and the high vegetati…

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during landing roll. A factor was the high density altitude and the high vegetation (sagebrush).

May 27, 1999 OGDEN, UT N2716C Incident destroyed The pilot's misjudgment of altitude during an intentional (practice) low altitude flight maneuver (landing approach).
Apr 30, 1999 TSIRKU GLACIER, CA N2599C Minor substantial Investigation pending
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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