Cessna 170A Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 145 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.

145

All Events

96

Incidents

19

Minor

13

Serious

17

Fatal (32 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
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.

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.
May 17, 2002 Casper, WY N1211D Fatal (1) destroyed
the pilot's inadvertent flight into adverse weather conditions and his subsequent failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor contributing to this…

the pilot's inadvertent flight into adverse weather conditions and his subsequent failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor contributing to this accident was the fog.

Mar 22, 2002 Gainesville, MO N170PS Incident substantial The pilot's misjudgment of distance/altitude and his failure to perform a go-around.
Oct 27, 2001 Giddings, TX N4127G Minor substantial The failure of the Cessna pilot to maintain directional control while landing, which resulted in a collision with the Lake.
Aug 29, 2001 CHICKALOON, AK N9791A Serious (1) substantial
The pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff. Factors in the accident were the presence of trees at the end of the departure path, and the pilot's impro…

The pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff. Factors in the accident were the presence of trees at the end of the departure path, and the pilot's improper use of the carburetor heat control.

Jun 11, 2001 South Charlesto, WV N9509A Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing.
Jan 06, 2001 EASTSOUND, WA N1703D Serious (2) substantial
The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat prior to reducing engine power to idle while operating in serious carburetor icing conditions. Factors incl…

The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat prior to reducing engine power to idle while operating in serious carburetor icing conditions. Factors include serious carburetor icing conditions, and trees in the area where the pilot found it necessary to attempt a forced landing.

Sep 05, 2000 MEXIA, TX N1447D Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors were the gusty crosswind and the pilot's failure to perform a go-around upon encounte…

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors were the gusty crosswind and the pilot's failure to perform a go-around upon encountering a windshift/crosswind.

Apr 21, 2000 ST. PAUL, MN N1233D Incident substantial the broken landing gear axle.
Oct 31, 1999 EL MIRAGE, CA N9063A Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of his airplane, which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop.
Sep 03, 1999 BRADY, TX N3865V Incident substantial The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a dirt bank.
Feb 11, 1999 LEOMINSTER, MA N1460D Fatal (1) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain the proper altitude during the approach.
Sep 12, 1998 LAGRANGEVILLE, NY N4709Q Fatal (1) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin.
Aug 24, 1998 NORTH POLE, AK N9754A Incident substantial The student pilot's inadvertent ground loop/swerve during the landing roll.
Jul 04, 1998 RENTON, WA N1296D Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Failure to jettison the external load and downdrafts were f…

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Failure to jettison the external load and downdrafts were factors.

May 24, 1998 PROVO, UT N9732A Incident substantial failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane. A related factor was the right quartering tailwind gust.
May 10, 1998 EMILY, MN N1491D Minor substantial The pilot's failure to maintain the proper rate of descent on final. A factor was the vegetation (bushes).
Jan 31, 1998 MIAMI, FL N1200D Fatal (1) substantial
failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed during a banner pickup, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and collision with the terrain. The…

failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed during a banner pickup, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and collision with the terrain. The lack of altitude for a stall recovery was a related factor.

Oct 12, 1997 Quincy, CA N9212A Incident substantial loss of directional control due to a severe tail wheel vibration, which was induced by an improperly installed and adjusted tail wheel assembly.
Sep 30, 1997 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK N10433 Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions resulting in an inadvertent groundloop. Factors were the crosswind, the pilot's lack …

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions resulting in an inadvertent groundloop. Factors were the crosswind, the pilot's lack of total experience in make and model, the separation of the left main wheel due to corroded bolts, and the inadequate annual inspection.

Aug 31, 1997 ELK CITY, ID N1487D Serious (1) destroyed A horse and children wandered onto the airstrip.
Aug 24, 1997 ILIAMNA, AK N9540A Incident substantial
the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, which resulted in a ground s…

the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, which resulted in a ground swerve and overload failure of the right main landing gear. Factors related to the accident were: the crosswind, and sudden windshift.

Jun 09, 1997 ORANGEBURG, SC N2551V Serious (1) substantial
The pilot experienced a partial loss of engine power for undetermined reason. The pilot failed to maintain flying airspeed which resulted in a stall …

The pilot experienced a partial loss of engine power for undetermined reason. The pilot failed to maintain flying airspeed which resulted in a stall and then subsequent collision with the ground. A factor was, conditions were favorable for the formation of carburetor ice.

Mar 08, 1997 WILLOW, AK N1364D Incident substantial The pilot's excessive speed while taxiing. A factor in the accident was flat light conditions.
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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