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 16, 2020	Valley Center, KS	N170RH	Minor	substantial	The pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff when the airplane passed the point where he had anticipated the liftoff would occur.
Jan 01, 2020	Fairbanks, AK	N4667C	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, an emergency off-airport landing, and a nos… The pilot's improper fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion, an emergency off-airport landing, and a nose over.
Dec 28, 2019	Missoula, MT	N4476B	Incident	substantial	The pilot receiving instruction's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and ground-loo… The pilot receiving instruction's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and ground-loop, and the flight instructor’s failure to adequately monitor the pilot.
Oct 29, 2019	Albuquerque, NM	N3016A	Incident	substantial	The pilot receiving instruction's failure to maintain directional control and his inadvertent left brake pedal application during the landing roll, wh… The pilot receiving instruction's failure to maintain directional control and his inadvertent left brake pedal application during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and ground-loop.
Jul 19, 2019	Phoenix, AZ	N3276A	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and the right wing striking the grou… The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and the right wing striking the ground.
Jul 15, 2019	Bison, SD	N2946D	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent ground loop.
Jun 17, 2019	Hewitt Lake, AK	N4427B	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff from a soft, grass airstrip, which resulted in impact with brush.
Jun 05, 2019	Dillingham, AK	N2601D	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a long landing and subsequent loss of directional control, and his subsequent failure to attain … The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a long landing and subsequent loss of directional control, and his subsequent failure to attain sufficient altitude to clear trees during an attempted go-around.
May 28, 2019	Whitehorse, CA	N4512C	Fatal (2)	destroyed	Investigation pending
Apr 22, 2019	Prineville, OR	N4567C	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff with a crosswind.
Jan 27, 2019	Selah, WA	N4087V	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat while operating in conditions conducive to carburetor icing, which resulted in a partial loss of engine pow… The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat while operating in conditions conducive to carburetor icing, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power and a subsequent forced landing and impact with a fence.
Dec 16, 2018	Riggins, ID	N4385B	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper preflight performance planning and his subsequent failure to attain sufficient speed for the airplane to climb with a tailwind.
Sep 01, 2018	Tulsa, OK	N2303D	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting crosswind conditions.
Aug 25, 2018	Prineville, OR	N4569C	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Jul 19, 2018	Spearfish, SD	N432W	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s improper decision to take off in tailwind conditions, which resulted in an aborted takeoff with insufficient runway remaining.
Jun 21, 2018	Anchorage, AK	N4427B	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing.
Jun 10, 2018	Benson, AZ	N170W	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing.
May 12, 2018	Zelienople, PA	N2485D	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Apr 09, 2018	Big Lake, AK	N4133V	Incident	destroyed	The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Jan 11, 2018	Auburn, NY	N1997C	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s improper wind correction inputs while taxiing with a quartering tailwind.
Jan 06, 2018	Ponca City, OK	N9972A	Incident	substantial	The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff with a quartering tailwind, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Nov 08, 2017	Harvard, IL	N2766D	Incident	substantial	The failure of the universal joint in the pilot-side flight control yoke due to the fatigue fracture of a rivet within the universal joint. Contributi… The failure of the universal joint in the pilot-side flight control yoke due to the fatigue fracture of a rivet within the universal joint. Contributing to the universal joint failure was the universal joint design, which was prone to galling wear and seizure.
Aug 21, 2017	Rochelle, IL	N2486D	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing with a tailwind.
Aug 11, 2017	Axtell, KS	N4189V	Incident	substantial	The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a go-around. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to attempt… The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a go-around. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to attempt to close a passenger door during a critical phase of flight.
Aug 04, 2017	Moab, UT	N1214D	Serious (1)	substantial	The pilot’s improper decision to depart in unfavorable weather conditions, which resulted in a hard, 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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