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
Apr 02, 2022 Stoney Point, NC N2656V Serious (2) substantial The pilot’s failure to retract the flaps during a go-around from a bounced landing, which resulted in a collision with trees then terrain.
Nov 15, 2021 Belen, NM N3463C Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
Sep 12, 2021 Ozark, AR N2998D Serious (2) substantial
The pilot’s inadequate takeoff performance planning that resulted in a climb gradient too low to clear trees on departure, and his failure to maintain…

The pilot’s inadequate takeoff performance planning that resulted in a climb gradient too low to clear trees on departure, and his failure to maintain aircraft control that resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.

Aug 06, 2021 Metaline Falls, WA N5459C Minor substantial The pilot’s failure to attain sufficient altitude during the initial climb to clear trees due to an encounter with windshear.
Jul 11, 2021 Rampart, AK N2583C Incident substantial The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a nose over.
Jul 01, 2021 North Pole, AK N2746D Serious (4) destroyed
The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s takeoff performance limitations, which prevented the airplane from gaining sufficient altitude to clear the t…

The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s takeoff performance limitations, which prevented the airplane from gaining sufficient altitude to clear the trees off the departure end of the runway.

Jun 11, 2021 Miles City, MT N2218B Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff which resulted in a ground loop and collision with terrain.
May 23, 2021 Mesquite, NV N9557A Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during the landing roll, which resulted in a nosed over.
Apr 19, 2021 Curtis, NE N2955D Incident substantial Water contamination of the airplane’s fuel supply which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
Apr 07, 2021 Lime Village, AK N1291D Incident substantial The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a landing gear collapse.
Mar 09, 2021 Poplar Bluff, MO N9515A Incident substantial
The pilot’s decision to make a precautionary landing in a field that contained soft terrain, which resulted in the airplane nosing over. Contributing …

The pilot’s decision to make a precautionary landing in a field that contained soft terrain, which resulted in the airplane nosing over. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to fly without a printed VFR sectional chart to identify the location of the destination airport.

Jan 27, 2021 Port Angeles, WA N9114A Fatal (1) substantial The total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, which resulted from the pilot's inadequate in-flight fuel planning.
Jan 08, 2021 Palouse, WA N4344B Minor substantial
The student pilot’s improper landing flare and loss of directional control and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action resulted in a runway ex…

The student pilot’s improper landing flare and loss of directional control and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action resulted in a runway excursion and nose over.

Dec 22, 2020 Madisonville, TN N4580C Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout, which resulted in a ground loop.
Dec 18, 2020 Albion, NE N9590A Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing with a tailwind.
Sep 23, 2020 Big Lake, AK N4380B Incident substantial
The pilot’s failure to utilize carburetor heat while flying in conditions conducive to carburetor icing, which resulted in a total loss of engine powe…

The pilot’s failure to utilize carburetor heat while flying in conditions conducive to carburetor icing, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.

Sep 22, 2020 Pottstown, PA N2772D Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusty, shifting wind conditions.
Sep 20, 2020 San Antonio, TX N4019V Incident substantial The pilot’s inadequate compensation for gusting crosswind conditions while landing, which resulted a loss of lateral control and impact with a fence.
Sep 13, 2020 Kiana, AK N3068A Incident substantial The pilot’s improper decision to perform a takeoff from an unsuitable surface, which resulted in a loss of control and nose over.
Sep 03, 2020 Morrisville, VT N170JS Serious (1) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and subsequent exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulte…

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and subsequent exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain.

Aug 13, 2020 Ardmore, TN N3962V Minor substantial
The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and his decision to depart from a constrained, grass-covered field in elevated-density altitude conditions, …

The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and his decision to depart from a constrained, grass-covered field in elevated-density altitude conditions, which resulted in reduced takeoff and climb performance and a subsequent forced landing.

Jul 20, 2020 Bloomington, IN N8193A Incident substantial The pilot's failure to attain/maintain directional control during landing that resulted in a ground loop and impact with terrain.
Jun 09, 2020 Aitkin, MN N2681D Incident substantial The flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which resulted in a hard landing and loss of directional control while landing with a crosswind.
Jun 02, 2020 Butte, MT N8282A Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during landing in turbulent conditions.
Feb 27, 2020 Baker City, OR N5478C Incident substantial The failure of the No. 2 connecting rod bearing as a result of oil starvation due to a contaminated oil filter screen.
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.
← Cessna 170 For Sale All Cessna Models
Data source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database · About our data
View 17 Cessna 170 for sale ↓