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
Sep 11, 2009 Dalhart, TX N2929N Minor substantial The pilot’s decision to land with a tailwind resulting in a loss of directional control.
Sep 06, 2009 Grain Valley, MO N9129A Incident substantial A loss of engine power due to carburetor icing as a result of the pilot's failure to use carburetor heat.
Aug 25, 2009 Anchorage, AK N6073V Serious (1) substantial
The pilot’s decision to make an abrupt and steep low altitude turn just after takeoff, while attempting to return to his departure airport, resulting …

The pilot’s decision to make an abrupt and steep low altitude turn just after takeoff, while attempting to return to his departure airport, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and loss of aircraft control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to ensure that the airplane’s engine access cowling was properly latched before takeoff.

Aug 06, 2009 Aurora, IL N9793A Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing.
Jul 19, 2009 Mahwah, NJ N8339A Serious (1) substantial A loss of engine power due to the failure of the No. 1 cylinder thru bolt hold down nuts due to corrosion.
Jun 28, 2009 Kasigluk, AK N5490C Incident substantial The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in a crosswind.
Jun 11, 2009 Anchorage, AK N2783D Incident substantial
The flight instructor's decision to land with a tailwind, and his failure to maintain directional control during landing, resulting in a ground-loop a…

The flight instructor's decision to land with a tailwind, and his failure to maintain directional control during landing, resulting in a ground-loop and nose-over.

May 16, 2009 Nenana, AK N6946C Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain control while taxiing for takeoff, and his failure to attain/maintain adequate airspeed after takeoff, resulting in an…

The pilot's failure to maintain control while taxiing for takeoff, and his failure to attain/maintain adequate airspeed after takeoff, resulting in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s excessive taxi speed.

May 13, 2009 Roswell, NM N3210A Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing.
May 12, 2009 Kenai, AK N3469C Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground-loop. A factor contributing to the accident wa…

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground-loop. A factor contributing to the accident was the pilot's diverted attention during the landing.

Mar 26, 2009 Dillingham, AK N2989D Minor substantial
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff and his failure to attain adequate airspeed to avoid an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the…

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff and his failure to attain adequate airspeed to avoid an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to take off with the airplane over its maximum allowable gross weight.

Feb 27, 2009 Homer, AK N2332D Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, resulting in a ground loop and substantial damage to the airplane. Facto…

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, resulting in a ground loop and substantial damage to the airplane. Factors contributing to the accident were a tailwind, and the pilot's decision to land downwind.

Feb 07, 2009 Lake Placid, FL N1825C Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing. Contributing was the flight instructor's delayed remedial action.
Feb 07, 2009 Cottonwood Falls, KS N2333D Minor substantial
The decision of the pilot to attempt operations outside the forward center of gravity limit. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's selection o…

The decision of the pilot to attempt operations outside the forward center of gravity limit. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's selection of an inadequate runway for the conditions.

Nov 21, 2008 Hanna, UT N8387N Fatal (1) substantial The flight's encounter with adverse tailwinds and downdrafts in mountainous terrain that exceeded the airplane's climb capability.
Oct 24, 2008 Butler, MO N5773C Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his failure to compensate for wind conditions which resulted in a ground loop.
Oct 12, 2008 Santa Fe, NM N9100A Incident substantial The flight instructor's delay in taking timely control of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the crosswind.
Sep 09, 2008 Ruby, AK N2690V Incident substantial The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat, while operating at a reduced engine power while maneuvering in carburetor icing conditions.
Apr 06, 2008 Fort Collins, CO N2232D Incident substantial the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
Feb 29, 2008 Truckee, CA N2571D Incident substantial The pilot's continued operation with a known mechanical problem and failure to maintain directional control.
Feb 27, 2008 Tyonek, AK N8458D Fatal (1) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed to prevent a stall while maneuvering, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with t…

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed to prevent a stall while maneuvering, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and collision with terrain.

Jan 06, 2008 Ellsworth, ME N5407C Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing a…

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area.

Dec 22, 2007 Alton, NH N3070A Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance above a frozen lake while maneuvering. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot's attempt of the…

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance above a frozen lake while maneuvering. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot's attempt of the low altitude maneuver, and unfavorable lighting conditions.

Nov 18, 2007 Nikolai, AK N170BP Incident substantial
The pilot's continued flight into adverse weather (icing conditions), which resulted in a loss of engine power during a go-around. Factors contributi…

The pilot's continued flight into adverse weather (icing conditions), which resulted in a loss of engine power during a go-around. Factors contributing to the accident were icing conditions, and carburetor/induction icing.

Oct 07, 2007 Roxboro, NC N9910A Incident substantial The pilot’s loss of control during 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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