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
Apr 19, 2021	Curtis, NE	N2955D	Incident	substantial	Water contamination of the airplane’s fuel supply which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
Sep 23, 2020	Big Lake, AK	N4380B	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to utilize carburetor heat while flying in conditions conducive to carburetor icing, which resulted in a total loss of engine powe… The pilot’s failure to utilize carburetor heat while flying in conditions conducive to carburetor icing, which resulted in a total loss of engine power.
Jul 20, 2020	Bloomington, IN	N8193A	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to attain/maintain directional control during landing that resulted in a ground loop and impact with terrain.
Nov 08, 2017	Harvard, IL	N2766D	Incident	substantial	The failure of the universal joint in the pilot-side flight control yoke due to the fatigue fracture of a rivet within the universal joint. Contributi… The failure of the universal joint in the pilot-side flight control yoke due to the fatigue fracture of a rivet within the universal joint. Contributing to the universal joint failure was the universal joint design, which was prone to galling wear and seizure.
Jul 07, 2017	Pine Bluff, AR	N2811C	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Jan 03, 2016	Ingleside, TX	N3035A	Incident	substantial	The loss of engine power during takeoff due to carburetor icing, which resulted in a forced landing.
Jul 16, 2015	Rosamond, CA	N8028A	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, resulting in a collision with terrain.
Jun 28, 2015	Durango, CO	N170MW	Incident	substantial	The pilot's decision to taxi behind a turbojet airplane into jet blast, which resulted in the airplane being blown off an active taxiway and flipped u… The pilot's decision to taxi behind a turbojet airplane into jet blast, which resulted in the airplane being blown off an active taxiway and flipped upside down onto terrain.
May 13, 2015	Bentonville, AR	N3488C	Incident	substantial	The flight instructor's failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a ground loop on takeoff.
Apr 13, 2015	Bettles, AK	N4697C	Incident	substantial	A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident engine examination and testing revealed no mechanical anoma… A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident engine examination and testing revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Mar 31, 2015	Wasilla, AK	N4582C	Incident	substantial	The flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the student while landing, which resulted in a ground loop. Contributing to the accident was the stu… The flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the student while landing, which resulted in a ground loop. Contributing to the accident was the student pilots failure to maintain directional control of the tailwheel-equipped airplane during the landing roll.
Jan 21, 2015	Anchorage, AK	N2580D	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s loss of directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion.
Sep 19, 2014	Portland, OR	N3210A	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing.
Sep 04, 2014	Palmer, AK	N1661D	Incident	substantial	The pilot's excessive use of brakes during the landing roll resulting in a nose over.
Aug 16, 2014	Augusta, KS	N60PE	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll.
Jun 04, 2014	Fairbanks, AK	N3442D	Incident	substantial	The airplane's encounter with a tailwind during takeoff from a short, narrow airstrip, which resulted in a loss of lift and collision with brush and s… The airplane's encounter with a tailwind during takeoff from a short, narrow airstrip, which resulted in a loss of lift and collision with brush and small trees.
May 03, 2014	Soldotna, AK	N3469C	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to recognize a wind shift, resulting in a tailwind landing, loss of control, and ground loop.
Mar 07, 2014	San Luis Obispo, CA	N2252D	Incident	substantial	Corrosion of the bulkhead assembly in the left main landing gearbox area, which resulted in the structural failure of the bulkhead and the subsequent … Corrosion of the bulkhead assembly in the left main landing gearbox area, which resulted in the structural failure of the bulkhead and the subsequent landing gear collapse.
Sep 14, 2013	Iliamna, AK	N2736C	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadvertent encounter with a mound while landing on a remote airstrip.
Aug 27, 2013	Anchorage, AK	N2583C	Incident	substantial	The pilot's loss of control of the airplane during takeoff, resulting in a ground loop.
Aug 04, 2013	Meridian, MS	N4251	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Aug 03, 2013	San Carlos, CA	N8249A	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop.
Jun 30, 2013	Fallbrook, CA	N2600D	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the takeoff, and his loss of aircraft control during the subsequent stall recovery.
Jun 23, 2013	Rawlins, WY	N170CW	Incident	substantial	The pilot’s delayed decision to abort the takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and a high density altit… The pilot’s delayed decision to abort the takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and a high density altitude, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with terrain.
May 23, 2013	Danville, IN	N3119A	Incident	substantial	The pilot not maintaining directional control of the airplane during the landing roll resulting in the ground loop.

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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