How many accidents has the Cessna 170A had?

The NTSB has recorded 145 events involving the Cessna 170A: 17 fatal, 13 serious, 19 minor injuries, and 96 incidents with no injuries.

Is the Cessna 170A a safe aircraft?

Safety depends on many factors beyond the aircraft model, including pilot training, maintenance, and weather conditions. The Cessna 170A has 145 NTSB-recorded events. Always review individual reports for context — many events involve pilot error or weather, not aircraft defects.

Cessna 170A Safety Record

Complete NTSB accident and incident history. 145 events recorded from 1982 to 2025.

145

All Events

Incidents

Minor

Serious

Fatal (32 fatalities)

Date	Location	Reg#	Severity	Damage	Probable Cause
Aug 24, 1997	ILIAMNA, AK	N9540A	Incident	substantial	the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, which resulted in a ground s… the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, which resulted in a ground swerve and overload failure of the right main landing gear. Factors related to the accident were: the crosswind, and sudden windshift.
Mar 08, 1997	WILLOW, AK	N1364D	Incident	substantial	The pilot's excessive speed while taxiing. A factor in the accident was flat light conditions.
Nov 28, 1996	EL CAJON, CA	N1729D	Incident	substantial	failure of the pilot to maintain directional control, which resulted in a ground swerve. The pilot's low total time in conventional gear aircraft was… failure of the pilot to maintain directional control, which resulted in a ground swerve. The pilot's low total time in conventional gear aircraft was a related factor.
Jun 22, 1996	SOUTHSIDE, AL	N9230A	Incident	substantial	failure of an oil line between the engine and the oil cooler, which resulted in loss of oil, oil starvation, and subsequent seizure of the engine. Fa… failure of an oil line between the engine and the oil cooler, which resulted in loss of oil, oil starvation, and subsequent seizure of the engine. Factors relating to the accident were: the effects of a tailwind during the forced landing, and failure of the pilot to achieve the proper touchdown point during the landing.
May 19, 1996	WHARTON, TX	N9131A	Incident	substantial	failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve.
Apr 11, 1995	WOODLAND, CA	N1276D	Incident	substantial	the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. The mechanic's inadequate annual inspection by failing to determine the worn condition of the c… the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. The mechanic's inadequate annual inspection by failing to determine the worn condition of the crosswind landing gear detent stop groove and snubber pin and the soft terrain were factors in this accident.
Mar 29, 1995	ANCHORAGE, AK	N1364D	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CORRECT FOR TORQUE/P FACTOR WHEN ADDING ENGINE POWER FOR THE GO-AROUND MANEUVER. THE PILOT'S MISJUDGED FLARE, DELAYED GO-AROUN… THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CORRECT FOR TORQUE/P FACTOR WHEN ADDING ENGINE POWER FOR THE GO-AROUND MANEUVER. THE PILOT'S MISJUDGED FLARE, DELAYED GO-AROUND, AND LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.
Jun 12, 1994	WOLF CREEK, MT	N1389D	Incident	substantial	POOR IN FLIGHT PLANNING. THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WAS A FACTOR.
May 06, 1994	BOCA RATON, FL	N9534A	Incident	substantial	THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.
Sep 03, 1992	ANGOLA, IN	N9124A	Incident	substantial	FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING ROLLOUT.
Sep 02, 1992	HOLTVILLE, CA	N9923A	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE UNFORECASTED DUST DEVIL.
Mar 08, 1992	MIAMI, FL	N9998A	Incident	substantial	FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNFAVORABLE WIND (WINDSHIFT).
Jun 23, 1991	KAKEEN, AK	N5739C	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE ABORTED TAKEOFF. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SOFT, ROUGH, AND… THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE ABORTED TAKEOFF. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SOFT, ROUGH, AND UNEVEN TERRAIN.
Apr 24, 1991	NEWELL, SD	N5720C	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S IMPROPER AIRCRAFT HANDLING.
Feb 02, 1991	HOLLY, CO	N1437D	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. FACTORS WERE: A GUSTY CROSSWIND CONDITION AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRCRAFT… THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. FACTORS WERE: A GUSTY CROSSWIND CONDITION AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRCRAFT.
Nov 07, 1990	HEALY, AK	N5468C	Incident	substantial	THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.
Jun 18, 1990	SALINA, UT	N9086A	Incident	substantial	POWER LOSS AS A RESULT OF WATER CONTAMINATED FUEL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION BY THE PILOT, AND ROUGH TERRA… POWER LOSS AS A RESULT OF WATER CONTAMINATED FUEL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION BY THE PILOT, AND ROUGH TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED DURING THE GROUND RUN, FOLLOWING THE FORCED LANDING.
Jun 07, 1990	WASILLA, AK	N1334D	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL. THE CROSSWIND WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.
Feb 23, 1990	GALLUP, NM	N9130A	Incident	substantial	IMPROPER OPERATION OF THE ENGINE DURING PREFLIGHT PREPARATION, WHICH RESULTED IN OVERHEATING OF THE ENGINE AND DAMAGE TO INTERNAL COMPONENTS.
Aug 04, 1989	BROOKFIELD, WI	N9762A	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO TAKE PROPER CORRECTIVE ACTION AFTER ENCOUNTERING A WIND GUST ON LANDING.
Apr 19, 1989	KALISPELL, MT	N5414C	Incident	substantial	THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LANDING FLARE AND ROLLOUT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF PRO… THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LANDING FLARE AND ROLLOUT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF PROFICIENCY WITH ONLY 4 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME IN THE PRECEDING 90 DAY PERIOD.
Mar 23, 1989	RAVENSWOOD, WV	N9187A	Incident	substantial	THE PILOTS DECISION TO LAND WITH A TAILWIND AND INADEQUATELY COMPENSATING FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS.
Nov 19, 1988	MCCRORY, AR	N170KM	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Nov 02, 1988	SPRINGFIELD, IL	N5596C	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Apr 13, 1988	ATHENS, GA	N1213D	Incident	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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Cessna 170A Safety Record

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