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
Jul 12, 1996	LEWISTOWN, MT	N3156A	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate compensation for the changing wind conditions, and his failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in an inadverten… the pilot's inadequate compensation for the changing wind conditions, and his failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve. The sudden windshift was a related factor.
Jul 02, 1996	BECKLEY, WV	N8099A	Minor	substantial	The pilots decision to continue flying from VFR to IMC conditions which subsequently forced him to make a precautionary landing onto unsuitable terrai… The pilots decision to continue flying from VFR to IMC conditions which subsequently forced him to make a precautionary landing onto unsuitable terrain.
Jun 17, 1996	FAIRBANKS, AK	N2848C	Incident	substantial	The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing and the failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. A factor in the accident was… The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing and the failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. A factor in the accident was an airstrip that was rough and uneven.
May 06, 1996	PALMER, AK	N3193B	Incident	destroyed	The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff.
Apr 30, 1996	TOGIAK, AK	N2760D	Minor	substantial	fatigue failure of the right main landing gear strut.
Apr 17, 1996	CHICKEN, AK	N39781	Incident	substantial	The first pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a tree. Factors in the accident were the first pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparat… The first pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a tree. Factors in the accident were the first pilot's inadequate preflight planning and preparation and soft snow conditions.
Jan 02, 1996	BAKER CITY, OR	N2761D	Incident	substantial	the pilot's premature lift-off and inadequate airspeed following liftoff. His use of a public highway as a takeoff area, and a motor vehicle on the h… the pilot's premature lift-off and inadequate airspeed following liftoff. His use of a public highway as a takeoff area, and a motor vehicle on the highway, were factors.
Dec 16, 1995	JOHN DAY, OR	N3171B	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER GLIDEPATH.
Oct 29, 1995	REKLAW, TX	N3152A	Minor	substantial	THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
Oct 25, 1995	OCONOMOWOC, WI	N4555C	Minor	substantial	a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor associated with the accident was the unsuitable terrain on which to make the forced landing… a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor associated with the accident was the unsuitable terrain on which to make the forced landing.
Aug 09, 1995	TITUSVILLE, FL	N2715D	Incident	substantial	LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LIMITED EXPERIENCE IN THE MAKE AND MODEL AIRPLANE.
Jul 17, 1995	AFTON, WY	N3165B	Incident	substantial	DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION AND A STALL NOT IDENTIFIED.
Jun 15, 1995	GULKANA, AK	N4512C	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL.
May 12, 1995	CHICKALOON, AK	N4366B	Incident	substantial	THE FRACTURE OF THE CRANKSHAFT RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE PROPELLER AND PROPELLER FLANGE IN-FLIGHT. A FACTOR ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT WAS THE … THE FRACTURE OF THE CRANKSHAFT RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE PROPELLER AND PROPELLER FLANGE IN-FLIGHT. A FACTOR ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING.
Oct 02, 1994	RAMONA, CA	N170CT	Fatal (1)	destroyed	the noninstrument-rated pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control due to spatial disorientation after encountering instrument meteorological condit… the noninstrument-rated pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control due to spatial disorientation after encountering instrument meteorological conditions after the pilot decided to takeoff in adverse weather conditions. A factor in the accident was the dark nighttime lighting conditions and the pilot's lack of recent experience.
Aug 31, 1994	FORT YUKON, AK	N4457B	Incident	substantial	THE FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR SPRING.
Aug 17, 1994	REDMOND, OR	N8339A	Incident	substantial	PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT WAS NOT ATTAINED. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION.
Mar 07, 1994	CHUGIAK, AK	N4310B	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER INFLIGHT DECISION MAKING. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND THE DOWNDRAFT WEATHER … THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER INFLIGHT DECISION MAKING. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND THE DOWNDRAFT WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Feb 19, 1994	WAUPACA, WI	N4685C	Incident	substantial	THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GUSTY CROSSWIND.
Oct 30, 1993	PRESCOTT, AZ	N2451D	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DUE TO HIS IMPROPER BOUNCED LANDING RECOVERY TECHNIQUE AND THE IMPROPER USE OF THE RUDDER CONTROLS. A FACTOR … THE PILOT'S LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DUE TO HIS IMPROPER BOUNCED LANDING RECOVERY TECHNIQUE AND THE IMPROPER USE OF THE RUDDER CONTROLS. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN CONVENTIONAL LANDING GEAR AIRCRAFT.
Oct 27, 1993	MAPLE PLAIN, MN	N2923D	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS, FAILURE TO MAINTAIN RUNWAY ALIGNMENT, AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING THE ABOR… THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS, FAILURE TO MAINTAIN RUNWAY ALIGNMENT, AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED DURING THE ABORTED LANDING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS AND THE ADVERSE WIND CONDITIONS.
Sep 22, 1993	MARTINSBURG, WV	N8081A	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.
Sep 10, 1993	GILBERTSVILLE, KY	N4473B	Serious (1)	substantial	THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE CROSSWIND WAS A RELATED FACTOR.
Sep 03, 1993	WULIK RIVER, AK	N2384D	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. A FACTOR WAS THE CROSSWIND.
Aug 09, 1993	LAKEPORT, CA	N2294D	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing wind conditions and his failure to maintain directional control.

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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