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
Jun 04, 1998	RUSSIAN MISSION, AK	N2235D	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions while landing. A factor associated with the accident was the presence of a tailwind condition… The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions while landing. A factor associated with the accident was the presence of a tailwind condition.
Jun 01, 1998	LOS ALAMOS, NM	N1896C	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions. Contributing factors were the crosswinds, the fence, and the ditch.
Apr 25, 1998	KENAI, AK	N2692D	Incident	substantial	A failure of the number six cylinder rod bearing and connecting rod cap for undetermined reasons. Factors in the accident were snow covered terrain t… A failure of the number six cylinder rod bearing and connecting rod cap for undetermined reasons. Factors in the accident were snow covered terrain that was unsuitable for a forced landing.
Mar 21, 1998	DILLINGHAM, AK	N3179B	Incident	substantial	The pilot-in-command's decision to relinquish controls to the student pilot in the left seat during practice landings, and the pilot-in-command's fail… The pilot-in-command's decision to relinquish controls to the student pilot in the left seat during practice landings, and the pilot-in-command's failure to maintain directional control. A factor contributing to this accident was the pilot-in-command's lack of certification as a flight instructor.
Oct 24, 1997	FERNLEY, NV	N3155A	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance during a delayed go-around after an improper decision to continue an approach to an unlighted runway… the pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance during a delayed go-around after an improper decision to continue an approach to an unlighted runway without adequate visual references. Ground fog was a factor in this accident.
Sep 23, 1997	LIME VILLAGE, AK	N1831C	Incident	substantial	The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff.
Aug 14, 1997	JAMESTOWN, NY	N3454C	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a crosswind landing.
Aug 02, 1997	JUNEAU, AK	N3491C	Incident	substantial	The pilot's selection of an unsuitable off-airport site for takeoff, and his premature lift-off.
Jul 06, 1997	JACKSON, WY	N211R	Incident	substantial	The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Gusting wind conditions was a factor.
May 10, 1997	ONTARIO, OR	N8224A	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the wind conditions. A factor contributing to the accident was gusting winds.
May 04, 1997	DILLINGHAM, AK	N1828C	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. A factor relating to the acciden… the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. A factor relating to the accident was: the crosswind.
Apr 29, 1997	ANCHORAGE, AK	N3417C	Incident	substantial	the flight instructor's inadequate preflight by failing to ensure his seat was properly latched, and his resultant failure (or inability) to recover f… the flight instructor's inadequate preflight by failing to ensure his seat was properly latched, and his resultant failure (or inability) to recover from the student pilot's bounced landing. A factor associated with the accident was: the student pilot's improper flare during the landing.
Mar 16, 1997	FAIRBANKS, AK	N3486C	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll.
Jan 26, 1997	TOLEDO, WA	N4590C	Incident	substantial	The pilot's excessive application of the brakes on a tailwheel equipped aircraft. Factors include the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditi… The pilot's excessive application of the brakes on a tailwheel equipped aircraft. Factors include the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and a crosswind blowing at the time of the landing.
Dec 14, 1996	SAVOY, IL	N2506C	Incident	substantial	the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Factors relating to this accident were the student pilot's failure to request another ru… the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Factors relating to this accident were the student pilot's failure to request another runway and the crosswind.
Nov 15, 1996	MANVEL, TX	N25JM	Incident	substantial	Loss of aircraft control due to the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind. A factor was the crosswind.
Oct 25, 1996	UTICA, MT	N2419D	Incident	substantial	The pilot's improper use of the brakes, while landing a tailwheel aircraft in crosswind conditions. The crosswind was a related factor.
Sep 13, 1996	CONCORD, CA	N2916D	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. The 40-degree crosswind component was a factor in this accident.
Sep 09, 1996	DILLINGHAM, AK	N2989D	Incident	substantial	the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for taxiing.
Aug 18, 1996	CANTWELL, AK	N3546C	Incident	substantial	A failure of the pilot to provide sufficient takeoff distance from the edge of the departure lake and his premature liftoff.
Jul 30, 1996	NORTHWAY, AK	N4464B	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing.
Jul 18, 1996	TYONEK, AK	N2813C	Incident	substantial	The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Jul 13, 1996	ARLINGTON, WA	N170EC	Incident	substantial	the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve. The crosswind and wet runway were … the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve. The crosswind and wet runway were related factors.
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.
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.

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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