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 06, 2013	Sunburst, MT	N2619D	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to compensate for the strong, gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of airplane control during takeoff.
Oct 27, 2012	Calexico, CA	N1332D	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an attempted go-around, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Sep 14, 2012	Bethel, AK	N543AR	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a ground loop.
Aug 17, 2012	Fairbanks, AK	N4551C	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a ground loop and runway excursion.
Jul 29, 2012	Ellensburg, WA	N4089A	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s loss of directional control during the landing roll.
Jun 21, 2012	Concord, CA	N1640D	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing in gusting crosswind conditions.
Jun 19, 2012	Pullman, WA	N2580D	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing in gusting crosswind conditions and the flight instructor’s delayed … The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing in gusting crosswind conditions and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.
Jun 04, 2012	Houston, TX	N9753A	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing.
May 19, 2012	Winterville, NC	N170ED	Incident	substantial	The pilot's excessive bank at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Mar 04, 2012	San Jose, CA	N8245A	Incident	substantial	The pilot did not maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Sep 20, 2011	Fairbanks, AK	N2810C	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while taking off with a gusting crosswind.
Sep 17, 2011	Fairbanks, AK	N4597C	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience/training in tailwh… The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience/training in tailwheel-equipped airplanes.
Sep 17, 2011	Pahrump, NV	N1677D	Incident	substantial	A loss of engine power during the landing approach for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomal… A loss of engine power during the landing approach for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Sep 05, 2011	Anchorage, AK	N5406C	Incident	substantial	The fracture of a hydraulic brake line fitting due to incorrect installation of the brake line by the pilot/owner, which resulted in a loss of brake p… The fracture of a hydraulic brake line fitting due to incorrect installation of the brake line by the pilot/owner, which resulted in a loss of brake pressure and subsequent loss of directional control during the landing roll.
Jul 30, 2011	Mulino, OR	N9741A	Incident	substantial	The certified flight instructor's inadequate oversight of his student, and delayed recovery efforts following the student's loss of directional contro… The certified flight instructor's inadequate oversight of his student, and delayed recovery efforts following the student's loss of directional control during landing rollout.
May 28, 2011	Wasilla, AK	N1742D	Incident	substantial	The pilot's loss of directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion. Contributing to the accident were the effects of multipl… The pilot's loss of directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion. Contributing to the accident were the effects of multiple modifications to the main and tailwheel landing gear through the supplemental type certificate and FAA field approval process, which adversely changed their geometry, and resulted in degraded controllability during landing.
Dec 11, 2010	Houston, TX	N1634D	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's delayed remedial action.
Oct 03, 2010	Minto Flats, AK	N2792C	Incident	substantial	The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, resulting in a loss of control.
Jul 14, 2010	Truckee, CA	N3967V	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during an aborted landing, resulting in a collision with obstacles.
Jun 12, 2010	Palmer, AK	N2886C	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in variable wind conditions.
May 15, 2010	Moab, UT	N8379A	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Apr 30, 2010	Minden, NV	N5765C	Incident	substantial	A main landing gear collapse during the landing roll due to fatigue cracking and corrosion of the strut.
Apr 25, 2010	White Bear Lake, MN	N3201A	Incident	substantial	The flight instructor's inadequate attempted recovery from a bounced landing and the student pilot's abrupt use of the brakes, which resulted in the a… The flight instructor's inadequate attempted recovery from a bounced landing and the student pilot's abrupt use of the brakes, which resulted in the airplane nosing over.
Apr 07, 2010	Columbia, CA	N2629D	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing roll.
Mar 24, 2010	Kingman, AZ	N4200V	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout. Contributing to the accident was flight control interference by the passen… The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout. Contributing to the accident was flight control interference by the passenger.

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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