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
Feb 07, 2009	Cottonwood Falls, KS	N2333D	Minor	substantial	The decision of the pilot to attempt operations outside the forward center of gravity limit. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's selection o… The decision of the pilot to attempt operations outside the forward center of gravity limit. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's selection of an inadequate runway for the conditions.
Jul 07, 2007	Spanaway, WA	N9716A	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted takeoff from a short and narrow runway.
Jun 28, 2006	Vacaville, CA	N2924D	Minor	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. A contributing factor was pilot fatigue.
Jun 24, 2006	Atwood, IL	N9204A	Minor	substantial	The loss of engine power during approach due to carburetor ice and the uneven terrain encountered during the forced landing which caused the airplane … The loss of engine power during approach due to carburetor ice and the uneven terrain encountered during the forced landing which caused the airplane to nose over. Weather conducive to carburetor icing was a contributing factor.
Jan 07, 2006	Ulysses, KS	N2912D	Minor	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing, resulting in a ground loop.
Jul 14, 2005	Prescott, AZ	N2958D	Minor	substantial	the pilot's misjudged flare, and excessive use of the elevator control, which resulted in a failure to maintain adequate airspeed and a stall/mush.
Jun 23, 2004	Heber City, UT	N2555C	Minor	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the aborted landing. Contributing factors were the pilot's failure to maintain runway alignmen… the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the aborted landing. Contributing factors were the pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment, the fence, and the ditch.
Jul 27, 2003	Schafer, MT	N1979C	Minor	substantial	The pilot's delayed remedial action during the takeoff roll. Factors include wet terrain, a fence and an embankment located at the end of the runway.
Jun 27, 2003	Newcomerstown, OH	N9067A	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point and delayed go-around. Factors in this accident were the up sloping runway.
Mar 14, 2002	Rainier, WA	N8065A	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain the proper decent rate on approach. A factor was the trees in close proximity to the airport.
Jan 08, 2002	Bellewood, MS	N48031	Minor	substantial	The pilot misjudged the proper touched down point and collided with the ground short of the runway during an attempted landing.
Oct 27, 2001	Giddings, TX	N4127G	Minor	substantial	The failure of the Cessna pilot to maintain directional control while landing, which resulted in a collision with the Lake.
Jun 11, 2001	South Charlesto, WV	N9509A	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing.
Apr 30, 1999	TSIRKU GLACIER, CA	N2599C	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
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.
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.
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 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).
Jul 19, 1997	GRAHAM, WA	N4292V	Minor	substantial	Inadequate aircraft preflight by the pilot-in-command, and water contamination in the fuel resulting in a loss of engine power. A factor was a power … Inadequate aircraft preflight by the pilot-in-command, and water contamination in the fuel resulting in a loss of engine power. A factor was a power transmission line in the forced landing area.
Apr 05, 1997	FURNACE CREEK, CA	N2294D	Minor	substantial	Fuel starvation resulting from disconnection of the fuel selector valve. Factors which contributed to the accident were the pilot's intentional opera… Fuel starvation resulting from disconnection of the fuel selector valve. Factors which contributed to the accident were the pilot's intentional operation with known airplane deficiencies and the rough terrain.
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 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.
Apr 30, 1996	TOGIAK, AK	N2760D	Minor	substantial	fatigue failure of the right main landing gear strut.
Oct 29, 1995	REKLAW, TX	N3152A	Minor	substantial	THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE 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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