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
Aug 29, 2001 CHICKALOON, AK N9791A Serious (1) substantial
The pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff. Factors in the accident were the presence of trees at the end of the departure path, and the pilot's impro…

The pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff. Factors in the accident were the presence of trees at the end of the departure path, and the pilot's improper use of the carburetor heat control.

Jan 06, 2001 EASTSOUND, WA N1703D Serious (2) substantial
The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat prior to reducing engine power to idle while operating in serious carburetor icing conditions. Factors incl…

The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat prior to reducing engine power to idle while operating in serious carburetor icing conditions. Factors include serious carburetor icing conditions, and trees in the area where the pilot found it necessary to attempt a forced landing.

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.

Sep 01, 1997 PAXSON, AK N4520C Serious (2) substantial
The pilot's improper use of carburetor heat during a takeoff in carburetor icing conditions. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's dec…

The pilot's improper use of carburetor heat during a takeoff in carburetor icing conditions. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's decision to operate the airplane with known deficiencies (a disabled stall warning horn), an inadvertent stall, and the presence of carburetor icing conditions.

Aug 31, 1997 ELK CITY, ID N1487D Serious (1) destroyed A horse and children wandered onto the airstrip.
Aug 24, 1997 ELK CITY, ID N3964V Serious (1) destroyed
Oil starvation of the engine due to undetermined reasons, which led to the failure and separation of a main bearing and a connecting rod. A factor co…

Oil starvation of the engine due to undetermined reasons, which led to the failure and separation of a main bearing and a connecting rod. A factor contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for a successful forced landing.

Jul 05, 1997 BEND, OR N37RA Serious (1) substantial the pilot's failure to attain a proper climb rate. High density altitude and the pilot's failure to use all of the available runway were factors.
Jun 09, 1997 ORANGEBURG, SC N2551V Serious (1) substantial
The pilot experienced a partial loss of engine power for undetermined reason. The pilot failed to maintain flying airspeed which resulted in a stall …

The pilot experienced a partial loss of engine power for undetermined reason. The pilot failed to maintain flying airspeed which resulted in a stall and then subsequent collision with the ground. A factor was, conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice.

Sep 10, 1993 GILBERTSVILLE, KY N4473B Serious (1) substantial THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE CROSSWIND WAS A RELATED FACTOR.
Jul 28, 1993 WOODBINE, NJ N2971D Serious (1) substantial
THE PILOT MAINTAINING TOO STEEP OF AN ANGLE OF CLIMB AND AN INADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF CON…

THE PILOT MAINTAINING TOO STEEP OF AN ANGLE OF CLIMB AND AN INADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF CONTROL IN FLIGHT RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF OPERATION WAS A FACTOR.

Sep 02, 1992 NINILCHIK, AK N1737D Serious (2) destroyed
THE STUDENT PILOT ENTERED A LOW ALTITUDE STALL/MUSH DURING AN AIRDROP MANEUVER. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE LOW PASS MANEUVER, AND…

THE STUDENT PILOT ENTERED A LOW ALTITUDE STALL/MUSH DURING AN AIRDROP MANEUVER. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE LOW PASS MANEUVER, AND THE IMPROPER ALTITUDE.

Apr 11, 1992 ST. JAMES, MO N1966C Serious (1) substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM TERRAIN DURING THE ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF AND CLIMB OUT. A RELATED FACTOR WAS THE RISING TERRAIN.
Sep 22, 1991 E. STROUDSBURY, PA N37892 Serious (2) substantial
IMPROPER TAKEOFF PLANNING BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE STRIKING TREES DURING INITIAL CLIMB. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE F…

IMPROPER TAKEOFF PLANNING BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE STRIKING TREES DURING INITIAL CLIMB. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAKE HIS DEPARTURE TURN IN A TIMELY MANNER.

Sep 10, 1990 ELK MOUNTAIN, WY N9157A Serious (2) substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED WHILE AT AN ALTITUDE THAT DID NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE TERRAIN CLEARANCE FOR A SAFE STALL RECOVERY.
Jul 10, 1990 FILLMORE, UT N4068V Serious (2) substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN INADVERTENT STALL.
May 09, 1988 SOUR LAKE, TX N3853V Serious (2) destroyed Investigation pending
Nov 27, 1987 CONNER, MT N2926D Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
May 06, 1987 KENAI, AK N2754D Serious (2) substantial Investigation pending
Feb 02, 1987 PLASTER CITY, CA N3441C Serious (2) substantial Investigation pending
Jan 07, 1987 PITTMAN, NJ N2528V Serious (2) destroyed Investigation pending
Apr 28, 1985 AMA, LA N170NX Serious (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Dec 25, 1984 COTTONWOOD, AZ N9164A Serious (2) substantial Investigation pending
Sep 15, 1984 FLATONIA, TX N4653C Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Nov 17, 1982 ELIM, AK N2780D Serious substantial Investigation pending
Nov 11, 1982 DURANGO, CO N9164A Serious (1) substantial 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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