How many accidents has the Cessna 170 had?

The NTSB has recorded 728 events involving the Cessna 170: 56 fatal, 52 serious, 83 minor injuries, and 537 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Cessna 170 a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Cessna 170 has 728 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Cessna 170 Safety Record

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

728

All Events

537

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (98 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Apr 11, 1995	WOODLAND, CA	N1276D	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. The mechanic's inadequate annual inspection by failing to determine the worn condition of the c… the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. The mechanic's inadequate annual inspection by failing to determine the worn condition of the crosswind landing gear detent stop groove and snubber pin and the soft terrain were factors in this accident.
Mar 29, 1995	ANCHORAGE, AK	N1364D	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CORRECT FOR TORQUE/P FACTOR WHEN ADDING ENGINE POWER FOR THE GO-AROUND MANEUVER. THE PILOT'S MISJUDGED FLARE, DELAYED GO-AROUN… THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CORRECT FOR TORQUE/P FACTOR WHEN ADDING ENGINE POWER FOR THE GO-AROUND MANEUVER. THE PILOT'S MISJUDGED FLARE, DELAYED GO-AROUND, AND LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.
Sep 18, 1994	ST. ANNE, IL	N4216V	Incident	substantial	ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO AN INADEQUATELY RECONDITIONED CYLINDER.
Aug 31, 1994	FORT YUKON, AK	N4457B	Incident	substantial	THE FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR SPRING.
Aug 17, 1994	REDMOND, OR	N8339A	Incident	substantial	PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT WAS NOT ATTAINED. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION.
Jun 12, 1994	WOLF CREEK, MT	N1389D	Incident	substantial	POOR IN FLIGHT PLANNING. THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WAS A FACTOR.
May 06, 1994	BOCA RATON, FL	N9534A	Incident	substantial	THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.
Mar 29, 1994	OLIVE BRANCH, MS	N2509V	Incident	substantial	FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO APPLY CARBURETOR HEAT BEFORE REDUCING ENGINE POWER TO DESCEND RESULTING IN THE PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO … FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO APPLY CARBURETOR HEAT BEFORE REDUCING ENGINE POWER TO DESCEND RESULTING IN THE PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO CARBURETOR ICE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED DURING THE FORCED LANDING AND THE CARBURETOR ICING WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Mar 07, 1994	CHUGIAK, AK	N4310B	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER INFLIGHT DECISION MAKING. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND THE DOWNDRAFT WEATHER … THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER INFLIGHT DECISION MAKING. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND THE DOWNDRAFT WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Feb 19, 1994	WAUPACA, WI	N4685C	Incident	substantial	THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GUSTY CROSSWIND.
Oct 30, 1993	PRESCOTT, AZ	N2451D	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DUE TO HIS IMPROPER BOUNCED LANDING RECOVERY TECHNIQUE AND THE IMPROPER USE OF THE RUDDER CONTROLS. A FACTOR … THE PILOT'S LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DUE TO HIS IMPROPER BOUNCED LANDING RECOVERY TECHNIQUE AND THE IMPROPER USE OF THE RUDDER CONTROLS. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN CONVENTIONAL LANDING GEAR AIRCRAFT.
Oct 27, 1993	MAPLE PLAIN, MN	N2923D	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS, FAILURE TO MAINTAIN RUNWAY ALIGNMENT, AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING THE ABOR… THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS, FAILURE TO MAINTAIN RUNWAY ALIGNMENT, AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING THE ABORTED LANDING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS AND THE ADVERSE WIND CONDITIONS.
Oct 23, 1993	WILLIAMSTOWN, NJ	N3975V	Incident	substantial	Fatigue failure of the gear axle which resulted in the collapse of the left main gear.
Sep 22, 1993	MARTINSBURG, WV	N8081A	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.
Sep 03, 1993	WULIK RIVER, AK	N2384D	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. A FACTOR WAS THE CROSSWIND.
Aug 09, 1993	LAKEPORT, CA	N2294D	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing wind conditions and his failure to maintain directional control.
Aug 08, 1993	NORTHWAY, AK	N3271A	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATING FOR THE VARIABLE WIND CONDITIONS.
Jul 30, 1993	STEELE, ND	N8163A	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S POOR IN-FLIGHT DECISION AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER CLEARANCE.
Jun 12, 1993	MOORESVILLE, NC	N1619D	Incident	substantial	POOR MAINTENANCE PRACTICES DURING THE REBUILDING OF THE AIRCRAFT WHICH ALLOWED THE FUEL SYSTEM TO BECOME CONTAMINATED AND RESULTED IN THE SUBSEQUENT F… POOR MAINTENANCE PRACTICES DURING THE REBUILDING OF THE AIRCRAFT WHICH ALLOWED THE FUEL SYSTEM TO BECOME CONTAMINATED AND RESULTED IN THE SUBSEQUENT FUEL STARVATION OF THE ENGINE.
Jun 11, 1993	JANESVILLE, WI	N1932C	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT.
May 31, 1993	SOLDOTNA, AK	N1260D	Incident	substantial	THE INADEQUATE HANDLING OF THE AIRPLANE BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND.
May 29, 1993	ESCONDIDO, CA	N2962D	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER USE OF THE BRAKES. THE HIGH VEGETATION WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.
May 21, 1993	TITUSVILLE, FL	N48021	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS, RESULTING IN LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING ROLL.
Apr 03, 1993	ANCHORAGE, AK	N4190V	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S PREMATURE LIFT-OFF. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF, HIS LACK OF TOTAL EXPEREINCE IN THE TYP… THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S PREMATURE LIFT-OFF. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF, HIS LACK OF TOTAL EXPEREINCE IN THE TYPE AIRPLANE AND TYPE OPERATION, AND THE SLUSH COVERED RUNWAY.
Nov 14, 1992	KANKAKEE, IL	N2836C	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND NOT OBTAINING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL PRIOR TO LANDING TOUCH DOWN IN A CROSSWIND CONDITION.

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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Cessna 170 Safety Record

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