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
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.
Nov 26, 1989	ROGERSVILLE, TN	N9192A	Fatal (2)	destroyed	CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS BY A NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT RESULTING IN SPATIAL DISORIENTATION AND A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT … CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS BY A NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT RESULTING IN SPATIAL DISORIENTATION AND A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIS ABILITY TO FLY IN INSTRUMENT CONDITIONS, THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE DARK NIGHT, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF NIGHT FLYING EXPERIENCE.
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.
Jan 01, 1989	SPECULATOR, NY	N1432D	Minor	destroyed	INACCURATE INFLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISIONS BY THE PILOT WHO INADVERTENTLY FLEW HIS AIRCRAFT FROM VFR INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WHILE M… INACCURATE INFLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISIONS BY THE PILOT WHO INADVERTENTLY FLEW HIS AIRCRAFT FROM VFR INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WHILE MAKING A DESCENT AT NIGHT.
Nov 19, 1988	MCCRORY, AR	N170KM	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Nov 02, 1988	SPRINGFIELD, IL	N5596C	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Sep 03, 1988	EL PASO, TX	N9101A	Fatal (4)	destroyed	PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT DUE TO THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL.
Apr 13, 1988	ATHENS, GA	N1213D	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Dec 22, 1987	SANDWICH, MA	N5571C	Fatal (1)	destroyed	Investigation pending
Sep 21, 1987	MELOZITNA RIVER, AK	N9240A	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Aug 18, 1987	MONTICELLO, MN	N1354D	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Aug 12, 1987	INDEPENDENCE, CA	N9039A	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Aug 08, 1987	SAN MARCOS, TX	N401P	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Apr 11, 1987	DURANGO, CO	N5579C	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Mar 15, 1987	BRANDON, FL	N1352D	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Jan 09, 1987	MARSTON MILLS, MA	N5571C	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Nov 16, 1986	TEMPLE BAR, NV	N5780C	Minor	substantial	Investigation pending
Jun 27, 1986	TYONEK, AK	N9033A	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Feb 23, 1986	GARDNER, KS	N1493D	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Dec 31, 1985	GRYGLA, MN	N3828V	Incident	substantial	Investigation pending
Oct 19, 1985	MURPHYSBORO, IL	N9271A	Fatal (1)	destroyed	Investigation pending
Sep 06, 1985	FRUITPORT, MI	N4169U	Minor	destroyed	Investigation pending
Jul 16, 1985	OLNEY, IL	N1223D	Fatal (1)	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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