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
May 30, 2002	Rock Springs, WY	N4559C	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during initial takeoff climb. A contributing factor was the gusty crosswind.
May 19, 2002	SHOW LOW, AZ	N4338B	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing resulted in a loss of aircraft control. A factor was a sudden wind shift on final approach.
May 16, 2002	North Pole, AK	N4669C	Incident	substantial	The separation of the right main landing gear from the airplane during landing. A factor associated with the accident is the unapproved hardware used… The separation of the right main landing gear from the airplane during landing. A factor associated with the accident is the unapproved hardware used to attach the main landing gear.
May 12, 2002	Anchorage, AK	N7608B	Incident	substantial	The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during takeoff. A factor associated with the accident was an inadvertent ground loop.
May 11, 2002	San Diego, CA	N3462C	Incident	substantial	The failure of the dual student to maintain directional control of the airplane and the instructor's delayed the remedial action, which resulted in a … The failure of the dual student to maintain directional control of the airplane and the instructor's delayed the remedial action, which resulted in a ground loop. A factor in the accident was the gusting crosswind conditions.
Apr 08, 2002	Ocala, FL	N3470C	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control on landing roll, resulting in a loss of control/ground loop.
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.
Sep 28, 2001	Wildwood, NJ	N3465D	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors were the crosswind and the gusts.
Aug 29, 2001	FAIRBANKS, AK	N4669C	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadvertent stall/mush during the initial climb after takeoff, and subsequent in-flight collision with a tree.
Jun 20, 2001	Uxbridge, CA	C-GKGG	Fatal (1)	destroyed	Investigation pending
Jun 15, 2001	Payson, AZ	N4338B	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and improper corrective action while landing in a quartering tailwind condition. A contributing f… The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and improper corrective action while landing in a quartering tailwind condition. A contributing factor was his lack of experience in the type of operation.
Jun 04, 2001	Sand Point, AK	N4659C	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions while on approach, and the inadvertent stall of the airplane while attempting a go-around. A … The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions while on approach, and the inadvertent stall of the airplane while attempting a go-around. A factor associated with the accident was a crosswind.
May 08, 2001	FAIRBANKS, AK	N3143A	Incident	substantial	A failure of the tailwheel spring assembly due to fatigue during touch and go landings. A factor in the accident was an inadequate annual inspection … A failure of the tailwheel spring assembly due to fatigue during touch and go landings. A factor in the accident was an inadequate annual inspection by maintenance personnel.
Apr 29, 2001	Henderson, NV	N2567C	Incident	substantial	The failure of the pilot to refuel the airplane, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a forced landing in rough terrain.
Apr 08, 2001	Penrose, NC	N2488D	Incident	substantial	failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the landing rollout while landing in a crosswind which resulted in a groun… failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the landing rollout while landing in a crosswind which resulted in a ground swerve and substantial damage to the aircraft.
Mar 31, 2001	Lincoln, CA	N4315B	Incident	substantial	The certified flight instructor's inadequate supervision of his dual student who used excessive braking on landing resulting in the airplane's nose ov… The certified flight instructor's inadequate supervision of his dual student who used excessive braking on landing resulting in the airplane's nose over.
Mar 04, 2001	South Haven, MN	N2577D	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from the terrain during the maneuver to avoid the tree line. Factors to the accident were the dimi… The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from the terrain during the maneuver to avoid the tree line. Factors to the accident were the diminished aircraft handling, the pilot's maneuver to avoid the tree line, the unsuitable terrain for takeoff selected by the pilot, the snow covered lake, and the tree line.
Oct 12, 2000	SAN CARLOS, CA	N2562D	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper and excessive application of brakes resulting from his failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout.
Sep 16, 2000	ALTURUS, CA	N4590C	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing. A factor was the fa… The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing. A factor was the faded improperly maintained windsock.
Aug 18, 2000	NAMPA, ID	N3007A	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the balked landing.
Jun 23, 2000	WASILLA, AK	N2514D	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. A factor associated with the accident is the pilot's excessive use of the brakes.
Jun 11, 2000	DUTCH JOHN, UT	N4514C	Incident	destroyed	The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the trees. Factors were a high-density altitude and wind gusts.
May 13, 2000	BEDFORD, WY	N8319A	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadvertent ground loop. A factor was the soft grass airstrip.
May 08, 2000	DELTA JUNCTION, AK	N992EZ	Incident	substantial	A loss of engine power due to an undetermined reason. A factor in the accident was unsuitable terrain for a forced landing.

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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