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 18, 1999	FAYETTEVILLE, AR	N3251A	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to obtain the proper climb rate resulting in an inadvertent stall. Factors were the rising terrain and the variable winds.
Mar 28, 1999	MCCARTHY, AK	N3200A	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff in a timely manner. Factors associated with the accident were a tailwind, the pilot's inadequate weather ev… The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff in a timely manner. Factors associated with the accident were a tailwind, the pilot's inadequate weather evaluation, and the pilot's premature liftoff.
Mar 13, 1999	PALMER, AK	N4387B	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, and his failure to refuel the airplane that resulted in fuel exhaustion.
Mar 08, 1999	GRAND LEDGE, MI	N432W	Minor	substantial	the flight instructor's failure to successfully take remedial action to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll out. Fac… the flight instructor's failure to successfully take remedial action to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll out. Factors were the crosswinds and snowbank.
Feb 11, 1999	LEOMINSTER, MA	N1460D	Fatal (1)	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain the proper altitude during the approach.
Dec 18, 1998	LAWRENCEVILLE, GA	N4105V	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control.
Sep 28, 1998	IGIUGIG, AK	N3482C	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft. Contributing factors were the crosswind condition, the pilot's lack of total exp… The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft. Contributing factors were the crosswind condition, the pilot's lack of total experience in make/model of the aircraft, and the pilot not achieving a climb on takeoff.
Sep 26, 1998	WEATHERFORD, TX	N3469D	Fatal (2)	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain obstacle clearance.
Sep 12, 1998	LAGRANGEVILLE, NY	N4709Q	Fatal (1)	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin.
Sep 10, 1998	SAN JOSE, CA	N8245A	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control
Sep 05, 1998	PORT ALSWORTH, AK	N4368M	Incident	destroyed	The solo student pilot's excessive application of brakes during taxi from landing. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's selection of … The solo student pilot's excessive application of brakes during taxi from landing. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for a precautionary landing, rough terrain, and the fuel leak from the fuel tank vent.
Aug 24, 1998	NORTH POLE, AK	N9754A	Incident	substantial	The student pilot's inadvertent ground loop/swerve during the landing roll.
Aug 16, 1998	BOULDER, CO	N2574V	Minor	substantial	The pilot's intentional ground loop and his inadequate compensation for the wind condition. A contributng factor was crosswinds.
Aug 14, 1998	ARCTIC VILLAGE, AK	N8181A	Minor	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors associated with the accident were variable, and gusty wind conditions.
Aug 07, 1998	PELL CITY, AL	N9968A	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper use of the flight controls during a crosswind landing and the improper recovery from a bounce resulted in the collapse of the rig… The pilot's improper use of the flight controls during a crosswind landing and the improper recovery from a bounce resulted in the collapse of the right main landing gear. A factor was the right crosswind.
Jul 12, 1998	HAILEY, ID	N3018A	Serious (2)	destroyed	The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. Contributing factors were the pilot-in-command's failure to follow pro… The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. Contributing factors were the pilot-in-command's failure to follow procedures by the improper use of the flaps, high density altitude conditions, crosswind conditions and the tree.
Jul 04, 1998	RENTON, WA	N1296D	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Failure to jettison the external load and downdrafts were f… The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Failure to jettison the external load and downdrafts were factors.
Jun 24, 1998	ONEONTA, NY	N3493C	Incident	destroyed	The separation of the left rudder cable. A factor was chafing of the cable.
Jun 04, 1998	RUSSIAN MISSION, AK	N2235D	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions while landing. A factor associated with the accident was the presence of a tailwind condition… The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions while landing. A factor associated with the accident was the presence of a tailwind condition.
Jun 01, 1998	LOS ALAMOS, NM	N1896C	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions. Contributing factors were the crosswinds, the fence, and the ditch.
May 30, 1998	WADSWORTH, OH	N3099A	Minor	substantial	The flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the airplane which resulted in his intentional ground loop. A factor in the accident was the f… The flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the airplane which resulted in his intentional ground loop. A factor in the accident was the flight instructor's lack of currency in tailwheel airplanes.
May 24, 1998	PROVO, UT	N9732A	Incident	substantial	failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane. A related factor was the right quartering tailwind gust.
May 17, 1998	AUBURN, WA	N2534V	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for gusty crosswind conditions. A related factor was gusty crosswinds.
May 10, 1998	EMILY, MN	N1491D	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain the proper rate of descent on final. A factor was the vegetation (bushes).
Apr 25, 1998	KENAI, AK	N2692D	Incident	substantial	A failure of the number six cylinder rod bearing and connecting rod cap for undetermined reasons. Factors in the accident were snow covered terrain t… A failure of the number six cylinder rod bearing and connecting rod cap for undetermined reasons. Factors in the accident were snow covered terrain that was unsuitable for a forced 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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Cessna 170 Safety Record

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