How many accidents has the Cessna 170B had?

The NTSB has recorded 405 events involving the Cessna 170B: 29 fatal, 26 serious, 39 minor injuries, and 311 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Cessna 170B a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Cessna 170B has 405 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Cessna 170B Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 405 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.

405

All Events

311

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (47 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Nov 27, 2023	Cameron Park, CA	N170HT	Minor	substantial	A failure of the right brake master cylinder piston due to a faulty return spring, which resulted in a seized right main landing gear brake and a runw… A failure of the right brake master cylinder piston due to a faulty return spring, which resulted in a seized right main landing gear brake and a runway excursion
Jan 08, 2021	Palouse, WA	N4344B	Minor	substantial	The student pilot’s improper landing flare and loss of directional control and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action resulted in a runway ex… The student pilot’s improper landing flare and loss of directional control and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action resulted in a runway excursion and nose over.
Sep 24, 2015	Arctic Village, AK	N2528C	Minor	substantial	The pilot exceeded the critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a collision with terrain.
Aug 11, 2015	Driggs, ID	N2369D	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and a nose over.
Jul 04, 2014	Tomball, TX	N170CC	Minor	substantial	The pilot's loss of directional control during landing rollout, which resulted in a runway excursion and the tailwheel airplane nosing over.
Mar 08, 2014	Mulberry, FL	N211R	Minor	substantial	The failure of the pilot and the parachutist to see and avoid each other, which resulted in the airplane’s wing colliding with the parachute’s suspens… The failure of the pilot and the parachutist to see and avoid each other, which resulted in the airplane’s wing colliding with the parachute’s suspension lines.
Jan 20, 2013	Erie, CO	N2323D	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while taking off in gusting wind conditions.
Oct 14, 2011	Ramona, CA	N8261A	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll.
Aug 19, 2011	Jefferson, OR	N2789D	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power transmission lines during the landing approach into the sun.
Jun 23, 2010	Parker, AZ	N432PB	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing with a crosswind.
Sep 11, 2009	Dalhart, TX	N2929N	Minor	substantial	The pilot’s decision to land with a tailwind resulting in a loss of directional control.
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.
Jun 28, 2006	Vacaville, CA	N2924D	Minor	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. A contributing factor was pilot fatigue.
Jan 07, 2006	Ulysses, KS	N2912D	Minor	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing, resulting in a ground loop.
Jul 14, 2005	Prescott, AZ	N2958D	Minor	substantial	the pilot's misjudged flare, and excessive use of the elevator control, which resulted in a failure to maintain adequate airspeed and a stall/mush.
Jun 23, 2004	Heber City, UT	N2555C	Minor	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the aborted landing. Contributing factors were the pilot's failure to maintain runway alignmen… the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the aborted landing. Contributing factors were the pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment, the fence, and the ditch.
Jul 27, 2003	Schafer, MT	N1979C	Minor	substantial	The pilot's delayed remedial action during the takeoff roll. Factors include wet terrain, a fence and an embankment located at the end of the runway.
Mar 14, 2002	Rainier, WA	N8065A	Minor	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain the proper decent rate on approach. A factor was the trees in close proximity to the airport.
Jan 08, 2002	Bellewood, MS	N48031	Minor	substantial	The pilot misjudged the proper touched down point and collided with the ground short of the runway during an attempted landing.
Apr 30, 1999	TSIRKU GLACIER, CA	N2599C	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Mar 08, 1999	GRAND LEDGE, MI	N432W	Minor	substantial	the flight instructor's failure to successfully take remedial action to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll out. Fac… the flight instructor's failure to successfully take remedial action to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll out. Factors were the crosswinds and snowbank.
Aug 14, 1998	ARCTIC VILLAGE, AK	N8181A	Minor	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors associated with the accident were variable, and gusty wind conditions.
May 30, 1998	WADSWORTH, OH	N3099A	Minor	substantial	The flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the airplane which resulted in his intentional ground loop. A factor in the accident was the f… The flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the airplane which resulted in his intentional ground loop. A factor in the accident was the flight instructor's lack of currency in tailwheel airplanes.
Apr 05, 1997	FURNACE CREEK, CA	N2294D	Minor	substantial	Fuel starvation resulting from disconnection of the fuel selector valve. Factors which contributed to the accident were the pilot's intentional opera… Fuel starvation resulting from disconnection of the fuel selector valve. Factors which contributed to the accident were the pilot's intentional operation with known airplane deficiencies and the rough terrain.
Aug 18, 1996	VICTORIA, TX	N600JM	Minor	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. A related factor was the rough/uneven terrain (gopher mo… the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. A related factor was the rough/uneven terrain (gopher mound) on the grass runway.

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 170B Safety Record

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