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
Apr 24, 2022 Ravensdale, WA N4398B Serious (2) substantial A loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot’s inadequate fuel planning.
Sep 12, 2021 Ozark, AR N2998D Serious (2) substantial
The pilot’s inadequate takeoff performance planning that resulted in a climb gradient too low to clear trees on departure, and his failure to maintain…

The pilot’s inadequate takeoff performance planning that resulted in a climb gradient too low to clear trees on departure, and his failure to maintain aircraft control that resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.

Jul 01, 2021 North Pole, AK N2746D Serious (4) destroyed
The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s takeoff performance limitations, which prevented the airplane from gaining sufficient altitude to clear the t…

The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s takeoff performance limitations, which prevented the airplane from gaining sufficient altitude to clear the trees off the departure end of the runway.

Apr 28, 2015 Centralia, WA N1296D Serious (1) substantial
Maintenance personnel’s incorrect installation of the fuel selector valvehandle, which resulted in fuel starvation, a loss of engine power, and a forc…

Maintenance personnel’s incorrect installation of the fuel selector valvehandle, which resulted in fuel starvation, a loss of engine power, and a forced hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to follow the manufacturer's checklist.

Feb 18, 2013 Skwentna, AK N2814C Serious (2) substantial The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed during a departure turn, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain.
Jul 23, 2010 Palmer, AK N4590C Serious (1) substantial The pilot's decision to make a low-altitude pass over a remote airstrip toward rising terrain in weather conducive to downdrafts.
Aug 25, 2009 Anchorage, AK N6073V Serious (1) substantial
The pilot’s decision to make an abrupt and steep low altitude turn just after takeoff, while attempting to return to his departure airport, resulting …

The pilot’s decision to make an abrupt and steep low altitude turn just after takeoff, while attempting to return to his departure airport, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and loss of aircraft control. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to ensure that the airplane’s engine access cowling was properly latched before takeoff.

Jul 19, 2009 Mahwah, NJ N8339A Serious (1) substantial A loss of engine power due to the failure of the No. 1 cylinder thru bolt hold down nuts due to corrosion.
Sep 04, 2006 Hampton, NH N1857C Serious (2) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
Apr 17, 2006 Clark Fork, ID N2288D Serious (1) substantial The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a go-around. A quartering tailwind was a factor.
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.
Jul 12, 1998 HAILEY, ID N3018A Serious (2) destroyed
The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. Contributing factors were the pilot-in-command's failure to follow pro…

The pilot-in-command's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. Contributing factors were the pilot-in-command's failure to follow procedures by the improper use of the flaps, high density altitude conditions, crosswind conditions and the tree.

Sep 01, 1997 PAXSON, AK N4520C Serious (2) substantial
The pilot's improper use of carburetor heat during a takeoff in carburetor icing conditions. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's dec…

The pilot's improper use of carburetor heat during a takeoff in carburetor icing conditions. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's decision to operate the airplane with known deficiencies (a disabled stall warning horn), an inadvertent stall, and the presence of carburetor icing conditions.

Jul 05, 1997 BEND, OR N37RA Serious (1) substantial the pilot's failure to attain a proper climb rate. High density altitude and the pilot's failure to use all of the available runway were factors.
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.
Jul 28, 1993 WOODBINE, NJ N2971D Serious (1) substantial
THE PILOT MAINTAINING TOO STEEP OF AN ANGLE OF CLIMB AND AN INADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF CON…

THE PILOT MAINTAINING TOO STEEP OF AN ANGLE OF CLIMB AND AN INADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF CONTROL IN FLIGHT RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF OPERATION WAS A FACTOR.

Sep 02, 1992 NINILCHIK, AK N1737D Serious (2) destroyed
THE STUDENT PILOT ENTERED A LOW ALTITUDE STALL/MUSH DURING AN AIRDROP MANEUVER. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE LOW PASS MANEUVER, AND…

THE STUDENT PILOT ENTERED A LOW ALTITUDE STALL/MUSH DURING AN AIRDROP MANEUVER. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE LOW PASS MANEUVER, AND THE IMPROPER ALTITUDE.

Apr 11, 1992 ST. JAMES, MO N1966C Serious (1) substantial THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM TERRAIN DURING THE ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF AND CLIMB OUT. A RELATED FACTOR WAS THE RISING TERRAIN.
Sep 22, 1991 E. STROUDSBURY, PA N37892 Serious (2) substantial
IMPROPER TAKEOFF PLANNING BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE STRIKING TREES DURING INITIAL CLIMB. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE F…

IMPROPER TAKEOFF PLANNING BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE STRIKING TREES DURING INITIAL CLIMB. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAKE HIS DEPARTURE TURN IN A TIMELY MANNER.

Nov 27, 1987 CONNER, MT N2926D Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
May 06, 1987 KENAI, AK N2754D Serious (2) substantial Investigation pending
Feb 02, 1987 PLASTER CITY, CA N3441C Serious (2) substantial Investigation pending
Apr 28, 1985 AMA, LA N170NX Serious (1) destroyed Investigation pending
Sep 15, 1984 FLATONIA, TX N4653C Serious (1) substantial Investigation pending
Nov 17, 1982 ELIM, AK N2780D Serious substantial Investigation pending
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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