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
Nov 28, 2023 Quebec, CA C-FZHI Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Apr 24, 2022 Ravensdale, WA N4398B Serious (2) substantial A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot’s inadequate fuel planning.
Apr 02, 2022 Stoney Point, NC N2656V Serious (2) substantial The pilot’s failure to retract the flaps during a go-around from a bounced landing, which resulted in a collision with trees then terrain.
Sep 12, 2021 Ozark, AR N2998D Serious (2) substantial
The pilot’s inadequate takeoff performance planning that resulted in a climb gradient too low to clear trees on departure, and his failure to maintain…

The pilot’s inadequate takeoff performance planning that resulted in a climb gradient too low to clear trees on departure, and his failure to maintain aircraft control that resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.

Jul 01, 2021 North Pole, AK N2746D Serious (4) destroyed
The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s takeoff performance limitations, which prevented the airplane from gaining sufficient altitude to clear the t…

The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s takeoff performance limitations, which prevented the airplane from gaining sufficient altitude to clear the trees off the departure end of the runway.

Sep 03, 2020 Morrisville, VT N170JS Serious (1) substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and subsequent exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulte…

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and subsequent exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain.

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.
Jan 12, 2017 Hayden, AL N1387D Serious (1) substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during the approach.
Aug 31, 2016 Hibbing, MN N1726D Serious (1) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, which resulted in impact with terrain near the runway.
Apr 28, 2015 Centralia, WA N1296D Serious (1) substantial
Maintenance personnel’s incorrect installation of the fuel selector valvehandle, which resulted in fuel starvation, a loss of engine power, and a forc…

Maintenance personnel’s incorrect installation of the fuel selector valvehandle, which resulted in fuel starvation, a loss of engine power, and a forced hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to follow the manufacturer's checklist.

Mar 21, 2013 Livermore, CA N3826V Serious (1) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Feb 18, 2013 Skwentna, AK N2814C Serious (2) substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed during a departure turn, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain.
Jul 11, 2012 Panama City, FL N2561V Serious (1) substantial
A total loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel, the pilot/owner's inadequate preflight inspection of his airplane, and his failur…

A total loss of engine power due to water contamination of the fuel, the pilot/owner's inadequate preflight inspection of his airplane, and his failure to maintain airplane control after the engine failure.

Aug 28, 2011 Grangeville, ID N1238D Serious (1) substantial The pilot's loss of directional control for undetermined reasons.
Jul 23, 2010 Palmer, AK N4590C Serious (1) substantial The pilot's decision to make a low-altitude pass over a remote airstrip toward rising terrain in weather conducive to downdrafts.
Jun 13, 2010 Campbellsville, KY N4273V Serious (2) substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during an aborted landing.
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.

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 24, 2007 Bozeman, MT N1316D Serious (1) substantial
The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent into terrain w…

The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent into terrain while manuevering to avoid the transmission lines. The sun glare was a factor.

Sep 04, 2006 Hampton, NH N1857C Serious (2) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
Apr 17, 2006 Clark Fork, ID N2288D Serious (1) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a go-around. A quartering tailwind was a factor.
Oct 23, 2004 Glenwood Spring, CO N9176A Serious (1) substantial
the pilot's failure to use carburetor heat which resulted in the formation of carburetor ice and the loss of engine power. Related factors were condi…

the pilot's failure to use carburetor heat which resulted in the formation of carburetor ice and the loss of engine power. Related factors were conditions conducive for carburetor icing and the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.

Nov 15, 2003 Suches, GA N2521D Serious (1) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a go-round that resulted in an inadvertent stall and the subsequent collision with trees.
Feb 09, 2003 Davie, FL N9701A Serious (1) substantial
The pilot's improper preflight planning and his inadequate in-flight planning decision which resulted in loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion a…

The pilot's improper preflight planning and his inadequate in-flight planning decision which resulted in loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and collision with wires and a road during the subsequent forced landing.

Feb 23, 2002 Fredericksburg, VA N3832V Serious (1) substantial
The unauthorized modification of the air control box by unknown persons, and the failure of subsequent mechanics to note and correct the deficiency. …

The unauthorized modification of the air control box by unknown persons, and the failure of subsequent mechanics to note and correct the deficiency. Factors included the carburetor icing conditions and the unsuitable terrain mandated by the 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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