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
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.

Jul 27, 2017 San Andreas, CA N5596C Incident substantial The pilot’s improper landing flare during an aborted go-around in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a hard landing.
Jul 11, 2017 Friday Harbor, WA N2714D Incident substantial The pilot’s loss of directional control during landing.
Jul 07, 2017 Pine Bluff, AR N2811C Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Jun 28, 2017 Alamogordo, NM N2774D Incident substantial
The pilot receiving instruction’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action,…

The pilot receiving instruction’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in a ground loop.

May 05, 2017 Taos, NM N9268A Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting crosswind conditions.
Feb 13, 2017 Wheatland, WY N1421D Incident substantial
The flight instructor’s incorrect compensation for the gusting crosswind during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of directional control and …

The flight instructor’s incorrect compensation for the gusting crosswind during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of directional control and runway excursion.

Jan 14, 2017 Coeur D'Alene, ID N3210A Incident substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain an appropriate descent rate during approach, which resulted in landing short of the runway threshold.
Dec 05, 2016 Martinsville, VA N9002A Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Sep 10, 2016 Sidney, MT N8335A Incident substantial
The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing, and the flight instructor’s inability to recover the airplane, which …

The student pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing, and the flight instructor’s inability to recover the airplane, which resulted in a runway excursion.

Jun 29, 2016 Everett, WA N401P Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and substantial damage to the fusela…

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and substantial damage to the fuselage.

Jun 17, 2016 Palmer, AK N1311D Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain a wings-level attitude during takeoff in gusty wind conditions, which resulted in the right wing striking the ground, …

The pilot's failure to maintain a wings-level attitude during takeoff in gusty wind conditions, which resulted in the right wing striking the ground, a loss of lateral bank control, and a nose over during the subsequent landing.

May 30, 2016 Saginaw, MI N1441D Incident substantial
The pilot's exceedance of the critical angle of attack during the landing flare, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, hard landing, right main land…

The pilot's exceedance of the critical angle of attack during the landing flare, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall, hard landing, right main landing gear collapse, runway excursion, and nose over.

Feb 24, 2016 Enumclaw, WA N2715C Incident substantial The pilot's incorrect brake application during taxi, which resulted in a nose over.
Jan 03, 2016 Ingleside, TX N3035A Incident substantial The loss of engine power during takeoff due to carburetor icing, which resulted in a forced landing.
Oct 01, 2015 Springfield, CO N9775A Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing flare, which resulted in a collision with terrain, and a nose over.
Aug 30, 2015 New Milford, CT N112RP Incident substantial The pilot's loss of directional control during the landing roll which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with terrain.
Aug 08, 2015 East Haddam, CT N5749C Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, and excessive use of brakes, which resulted in a runway excursion and nos…

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, and excessive use of brakes, which resulted in a runway excursion and nose over.

Jul 16, 2015 Rosamond, CA N8028A Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, resulting in a collision with terrain.
Jul 10, 2015 Buffalo, NY C-FHER Incident substantial
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing with a light quartering tailwind, which resulted in the failure…

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing with a light quartering tailwind, which resulted in the failure of the landing gear and a subsequent ground loop.

Jun 30, 2015 Raymond, MS N4027V Incident substantial The flight instructor's inadequate preflight inspection of the fuel system resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.
Jun 28, 2015 Durango, CO N170MW Incident substantial
The pilot's decision to taxi behind a turbojet airplane into jet blast, which resulted in the airplane being blown off an active taxiway and flipped u…

The pilot's decision to taxi behind a turbojet airplane into jet blast, which resulted in the airplane being blown off an active taxiway and flipped upside down onto terrain.

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 ↓