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
Jun 06, 2004 Dillingham, AK N2631D Incident substantial
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in the airplane nosing over during the landing flare/touchdown. A factor cont…

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in the airplane nosing over during the landing flare/touchdown. A factor contributing to the accident was soft tundra terrain.

Jun 01, 2004 Auburn, CA N2915D Incident substantial the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop.
May 29, 2004 Anchorage, AK N2514D Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop and subsequent structural da…

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop and subsequent structural damage to the airplane when it struck the runway.

May 08, 2004 Shirley, NY N1754D Incident destroyed The pilot's inadequate pre-flight inspection, which resulted in his failure to remove the engine inlet covers and subsequent loss of engine power.
Apr 23, 2004 Nampa, ID N8252A Incident substantial
The right seat pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the initial part of the landing roll, and his improper handling of the aircraft …

The right seat pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the initial part of the landing roll, and his improper handling of the aircraft (excessive braking) as the aircraft departed the side of the runway. Factors include the pilot's lack of recent experience in this make and model aircraft.

Mar 05, 2004 North Pole, AK N515N Incident substantial The pilot's delayed response in initiating an aborted takeoff, which resulted in an overrun and collision with a snowbank.
Jan 17, 2004 Santa Rosa, CA N2502C Incident substantial the failure of the number 2 cylinder barrel due to fatigue. The lack of suitable landing terrain was a factor in the accident.
Nov 10, 2003 Manley Hot Sprg, AK N4448B Incident substantial
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a nose over during the landing roll. A factor contributing to the accident…

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a nose over during the landing roll. A factor contributing to the accident was snow covered terrain at the landing strip.

Oct 20, 2003 San Diego, CA N3979V Incident substantial the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection which failed to determine the security of his seat, and his failure to maintain directional control.
Sep 25, 2003 Skwentna, AK N9006A Incident substantial
An overload failure of the axle retaining nut/bolt assembly, which resulted in the separation of the axle/wheel assembly, and subsequent collapse of t…

An overload failure of the axle retaining nut/bolt assembly, which resulted in the separation of the axle/wheel assembly, and subsequent collapse of the right main landing gear strut during the landing roll.

Aug 30, 2003 SEWARD, AK N1293D Incident substantial
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing which resulted in a nose over during the landing roll. A factor contribuiting to the accident…

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing which resulted in a nose over during the landing roll. A factor contribuiting to the accident was the presence of soft sand.

Aug 21, 2003 Neche, ND CFGRD Incident substantial
The unsuitable terrain encountered during the precautionary landing. Contributing factors to the accident include the pilot becoming lost/disoriented…

The unsuitable terrain encountered during the precautionary landing. Contributing factors to the accident include the pilot becoming lost/disoriented, his decision to perform a precautionary landing, and the soft terrain encountered during landing.

Aug 18, 2003 Sparrevohn, AK N8016A Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind, which resulted in collapse of the left main landing gear during the takeoff roll. A factor was t…

The pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind, which resulted in collapse of the left main landing gear during the takeoff roll. A factor was the crosswind.

Aug 13, 2003 La Belle, FL N2987D Incident substantial The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during takeoff resulting in ground looping and substantial damage.
Aug 01, 2003 ANCHORAGE, AK N3418C Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind condition and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane that resulted in the lef…

The pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind condition and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane that resulted in the left wing contacting the runway surface during the landing roll. Factors contributing to the accident were the presence of the crosswind, and the pilot's lack of experience in tailwheel airplanes.

Jul 06, 2003 Palmer, AK N63DJ Incident substantial
The pilot's misjudged distance and altitude during an approach to land at an off-airport landing site, which resulted in an undershoot, and subsequent…

The pilot's misjudged distance and altitude during an approach to land at an off-airport landing site, which resulted in an undershoot, and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain.

Jun 29, 2003 Brandy Station, VA N2741C Incident substantial The pilot's improper flare and his improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Jun 24, 2003 Widener, AR N4478B Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the wires and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed, resulting in a stall. A factor contributing t…

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the wires and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed, resulting in a stall. A factor contributing to the accident was the unmarked wires.

May 01, 2003 Twentynine Palm, CA N1607D Incident substantial The pilot's inadequate compensation and his failure to maintain aircraft control. The gusty wind condition was a contributing factor.
Apr 19, 2003 Randolph, NY N118F Incident substantial The pilot's failure to attain/maintain proper runway alignment. A factor in the accident was the sun glare.
Mar 29, 2003 Hobbs, NM N5577C Incident substantial the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft directional control during takeoff roll. A factor was the runway light's cement foundation.
Mar 26, 2003 Santa Rosa, NM N1228D Incident substantial the pilot's failure to maintain directional control while taxiing for takeoff. A contributing factor was the wind gust.
Dec 22, 2002 West Helena, AR N1392D Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. A contributing factor was the deflated tire.
Nov 28, 2002 Mobile, AZ N4465B Incident substantial
the pilot's improper compensation for the crosswind conditions at touchdown and failure to maintain proper alignment of the tail wheel equipped airpla…

the pilot's improper compensation for the crosswind conditions at touchdown and failure to maintain proper alignment of the tail wheel equipped airplane during landing, which resulted in a ground loop. The crosswind was a contributory factor.

Oct 13, 2002 Watkinsville, GA N170LB Incident substantial
The pilot's inadvertent collision with an ant hill during takeoff that resulted in a ground loop and the subsequent collision collision with the groun…

The pilot's inadvertent collision with an ant hill during takeoff that resulted in a ground loop and the subsequent collision collision with the ground. A factor was unsuitable 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.
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