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
Mar 16, 1997	FAIRBANKS, AK	N3486C	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.
Mar 08, 1997	WILLOW, AK	N1364D	Incident	substantial	The pilot's excessive speed while taxiing. A factor in the accident was flat light conditions.
Jan 26, 1997	TOLEDO, WA	N4590C	Incident	substantial	The pilot's excessive application of the brakes on a tailwheel equipped aircraft. Factors include the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditi… The pilot's excessive application of the brakes on a tailwheel equipped aircraft. Factors include the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and a crosswind blowing at the time of the landing.
Dec 14, 1996	SAVOY, IL	N2506C	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Factors relating to this accident were the student pilot's failure to request another ru… the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Factors relating to this accident were the student pilot's failure to request another runway and the crosswind.
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.
Aug 18, 1996	VICTORIA, TX	N600JM	Minor	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. A related factor was the rough/uneven terrain (gopher mo… the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. A related factor was the rough/uneven terrain (gopher mound) on the grass runway.
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.
Jul 02, 1996	BECKLEY, WV	N8099A	Minor	substantial	The pilots decision to continue flying from VFR to IMC conditions which subsequently forced him to make a precautionary landing onto unsuitable terrai… The pilots decision to continue flying from VFR to IMC conditions which subsequently forced him to make a precautionary landing onto unsuitable terrain.
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 30, 1996	TOGIAK, AK	N2760D	Minor	substantial	fatigue failure of the right main landing gear strut.
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.
Feb 24, 1996	PROCTOR, AR	N9523A	Fatal (4)	destroyed	failure of the pilots in both airplanes to see-and-avoid conflicting traffic (inadequate visual lookout).

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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