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
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).
Aug 05, 1995 COLDFOOT, AK N2566V Fatal (2) destroyed
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE DISTANCE AND/OR ALTITUDE FROM TERRAIN. RISING MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND DOWNDRAFTS ASSOCIATED WITH UNFAVORABLE…

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE DISTANCE AND/OR ALTITUDE FROM TERRAIN. RISING MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND DOWNDRAFTS ASSOCIATED WITH UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

Oct 02, 1994 RAMONA, CA N170CT Fatal (1) destroyed
the noninstrument-rated pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control due to spatial disorientation after encountering instrument meteorological condit…

the noninstrument-rated pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control due to spatial disorientation after encountering instrument meteorological conditions after the pilot decided to takeoff in adverse weather conditions. A factor in the accident was the dark nighttime lighting conditions and the pilot's lack of recent experience.

Jul 30, 1993 DRY BAY, AK N8190A Fatal (2) destroyed UNDETERMINED.
Sep 13, 1992 LOPEZ, WA N9577A Fatal (4) destroyed THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN. FACTORS INCLUDE GUSTY, UNFAVORABLE, HIGH VELOCITY WINDS, AND TURBULENCE.
Jan 28, 1992 Austin, NV N39HP Fatal (1) substantial
THE PILOT'S DELAY IN REVERSING DIRECTION, HIS CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED AN…

THE PILOT'S DELAY IN REVERSING DIRECTION, HIS CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED AND INADVERTENT STALL WHILE MANEUVERING TO REVERSE DIRECTION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS WEATHER CONDITIONS THAT CONSISTED OF LOW CEILINGS, SNOW, AND ICING CONDITIONS.

Sep 16, 1991 CURTIS, WA N4693C Fatal (1) destroyed A MISJUDGED MANEUVER DUE TO PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT BY ALCOHOL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS OVERCONFIDENCE IN PERSONAL ABILITY.
Aug 07, 1991 HEATH, TX N9582A Fatal (2) destroyed
THE INADVERTENT STALL FOLLOWING AN ABRUPT PULL UP WHILE MANEUVERING AT LOW ALTITUDE, AND THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT DUE TO TO ALCOHOL AND DRUG CONSUMPTION…

THE INADVERTENT STALL FOLLOWING AN ABRUPT PULL UP WHILE MANEUVERING AT LOW ALTITUDE, AND THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT DUE TO TO ALCOHOL AND DRUG CONSUMPTION.

Nov 25, 1990 40 W OF CLEAR, AK N4030V Fatal (1) substantial
THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE UNDER VISUAL FLIGHT RULE WHILE IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CO…

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE UNDER VISUAL FLIGHT RULE WHILE IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE WHITEOUT CONDITION CREATED BY THE VAST EXPANSE OF WHITE LAKE SURFACE, AND THE BLOWING SNOW WHICH FURTHER REDUCED THE VISIBILITY.

Jun 03, 1990 DILLON, CO N3944V Fatal (1) substantial
IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDE…

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND TERRAIN CONDITIONS.

Mar 25, 1990 REPUBLIC, WA N4130V Fatal (2) destroyed
IMPROPER INSPECTION AND AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATION OF THE AIRCRAFT ON THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION BY AN FAA AUTHORIZED REPAIR STATION, THE INADEQUATE …

IMPROPER INSPECTION AND AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATION OF THE AIRCRAFT ON THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION BY AN FAA AUTHORIZED REPAIR STATION, THE INADEQUATE ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND LOW CYLINDER COMPRESSION, AND THE PILOTS ATTEMPT TO TAKEOFF WITH KNOWN AIRCRAFT DEFICIENCIES. THE RISING TERRAIN AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY WAS A FACTOR.

Nov 26, 1989 ROGERSVILLE, TN N9192A Fatal (2) destroyed
CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS BY A NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT RESULTING IN SPATIAL DISORIENTATION AND A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT …

CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS BY A NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT RESULTING IN SPATIAL DISORIENTATION AND A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIS ABILITY TO FLY IN INSTRUMENT CONDITIONS, THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE DARK NIGHT, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF NIGHT FLYING EXPERIENCE.

Jun 10, 1989 SARASOTA, FL N3100B Fatal (2) destroyed THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHILE MANEUVERING TO SPOT CATTLE FOR A GROUND CREW.
Sep 03, 1988 EL PASO, TX N9101A Fatal (4) destroyed PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT DUE TO THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL.
Dec 22, 1987 SANDWICH, MA N5571C Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Sep 04, 1987 CEDAR CITY, UT N3541D Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Dec 19, 1986 ASHEVILLE, NC N8062A Fatal (2) destroyed Investigation pending
Dec 09, 1986 MADISON, GA N2464D Fatal (1) substantial Investigation pending
Oct 19, 1985 MURPHYSBORO, IL N9271A Fatal (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Jul 29, 1985 MANZANITA, OR N8011A Fatal (2) substantial Investigation pending
Jul 25, 1985 CHICAGO(L.MICH), IL N3160B Fatal (2) destroyed Investigation pending
Jul 16, 1985 OLNEY, IL N1223D Fatal (1) substantial Investigation pending
Jan 27, 1985 LOPEZ, WA N3845V Fatal (3) destroyed Investigation pending
Aug 17, 1984 OSKALOOSA, IA N516PC Fatal (2) destroyed Investigation pending
Apr 26, 1984 TURNER, ME N3112A Fatal (1) destroyed 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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