Cessna 170B Safety Record

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

405

All Events

311

Incidents

39

Minor

26

Serious

29

Fatal (47 fatalities)

Date Location Reg# Severity Damage Probable Cause
May 10, 2005 Homer, AK N8305A Incident substantial
The flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of control, and collision with a ditch.…

The flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of control, and collision with a ditch. A factor associated with the accident was the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control.

May 01, 2005 Portland, OR N6352Y Fatal (1) destroyed
The pilot's inability to control the airplane due to his incapacitation (carbon monoxide poisoning) from a deteriorated engine exhaust muffler. A con…

The pilot's inability to control the airplane due to his incapacitation (carbon monoxide poisoning) from a deteriorated engine exhaust muffler. A contributing factor was the inadequate annual inspection by other maintenance personnel.

Aug 23, 2004 Anchorage, AK N8238A Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll due to the restricted movement of the rudder pedals from his headset cord,…

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll due to the restricted movement of the rudder pedals from his headset cord, which resulted in the airplane exiting the runway and nosing down.

Jul 31, 2004 Kenai, AK N2269D Fatal (4) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed (Vs) while maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and loss of control.
Jul 17, 2004 Willow, AK N4588C Fatal (4) destroyed
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall while maneuvering, and a collision with trees and terrain du…

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall while maneuvering, and a collision with trees and terrain during an uncontrolled descent.

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.

Jun 06, 2004 Dillingham, AK N2631D Incident substantial
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in the airplane nosing over during the landing flare/touchdown. A factor cont…

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in the airplane nosing over during the landing flare/touchdown. A factor contributing to the accident was soft tundra terrain.

Jun 01, 2004 Auburn, CA N2915D Incident substantial the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop.
May 29, 2004 Anchorage, AK N2514D Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop and subsequent structural da…

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop and subsequent structural damage to the airplane when it struck the runway.

May 17, 2004 Tenino, WA N3510D Fatal (1) destroyed The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout during cruise flight, which resulted in a midair collision between the two airplanes.
May 08, 2004 Shirley, NY N1754D Incident destroyed The pilot's inadequate pre-flight inspection, which resulted in his failure to remove the engine inlet covers and subsequent loss of engine power.
Apr 23, 2004 Nampa, ID N8252A Incident substantial
The right seat pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the initial part of the landing roll, and his improper handling of the aircraft …

The right seat pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the initial part of the landing roll, and his improper handling of the aircraft (excessive braking) as the aircraft departed the side of the runway. Factors include the pilot's lack of recent experience in this make and model aircraft.

Jan 17, 2004 Santa Rosa, CA N2502C Incident substantial the failure of the number 2 cylinder barrel due to fatigue. The lack of suitable landing terrain was a factor in the accident.
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.
Nov 10, 2003 Manley Hot Sprg, AK N4448B Incident substantial
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a nose over during the landing roll. A factor contributing to the accident…

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a nose over during the landing roll. A factor contributing to the accident was snow covered terrain at the landing strip.

Aug 18, 2003 Sparrevohn, AK N8016A Incident substantial
The pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind, which resulted in collapse of the left main landing gear during the takeoff roll. A factor was t…

The pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind, which resulted in collapse of the left main landing gear during the takeoff roll. A factor was the crosswind.

Aug 13, 2003 La Belle, FL N2987D Incident substantial The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during takeoff resulting in ground looping and substantial damage.
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.
Jul 06, 2003 Palmer, AK N63DJ Incident substantial
The pilot's misjudged distance and altitude during an approach to land at an off-airport landing site, which resulted in an undershoot, and subsequent…

The pilot's misjudged distance and altitude during an approach to land at an off-airport landing site, which resulted in an undershoot, and subsequent in-flight collision with terrain.

Jun 29, 2003 Brandy Station, VA N2741C Incident substantial The pilot's improper flare and his improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Jun 24, 2003 Widener, AR N4478B Incident substantial
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the wires and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed, resulting in a stall. A factor contributing t…

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the wires and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed, resulting in a stall. A factor contributing to the accident was the unmarked wires.

Apr 19, 2003 Randolph, NY N118F Incident substantial The pilot's failure to attain/maintain proper runway alignment. A factor in the accident was the sun glare.
Nov 28, 2002 Mobile, AZ N4465B Incident substantial
the pilot's improper compensation for the crosswind conditions at touchdown and failure to maintain proper alignment of the tail wheel equipped airpla…

the pilot's improper compensation for the crosswind conditions at touchdown and failure to maintain proper alignment of the tail wheel equipped airplane during landing, which resulted in a ground loop. The crosswind was a contributory factor.

Oct 13, 2002 Watkinsville, GA N170LB Incident substantial
The pilot's inadvertent collision with an ant hill during takeoff that resulted in a ground loop and the subsequent collision collision with the groun…

The pilot's inadvertent collision with an ant hill during takeoff that resulted in a ground loop and the subsequent collision collision with the ground. A factor was unsuitable terrain.

Aug 01, 2002 St. Johns, AZ N2233D Incident substantial
the pilot's selection of the wrong runway for the existing crosswind condition and his subsequent inadequate compensation for the winds, which led to …

the pilot's selection of the wrong runway for the existing crosswind condition and his subsequent inadequate compensation for the winds, which led to a failure to maintain directional control and a 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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