Cessna 170
Aircraft Manufacturer: Cessna
Model: 170
About the Cessna 170
More than 200 Cessna 170s remain on the U.S. civil registry. The Cessna 170 makes up under 1% of Cessna's active registered fleet. By active fleet size, the Cessna 170 ranks 81st among Cessna's models.
One airworthiness directive has been issued against the Cessna 170 in total. One non-superseded FAA airworthiness directive applies to the Cessna 170. The most recent airworthiness directive applicable to the Cessna 170 is dated June 17, 2011. About two-thirds of all Cessna 170 registry records have been deregistered.
The Cessna 170 records a higher accident rate than about three-quarters of comparable aircraft sharing its aircraft type, engine class, and seat range. 1 of 28 recorded Cessna 170 accidents was fatal.
Aircraft Details
| Manufacturer | Cessna |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Serial Number | 2072302 |
| Model | 170 |
| Category | Land |
| Aircraft Type | Fixed wing single engine |
| Cruise Speed | 105 MPH / 91 knots |
| Weight | Class 1 (Up to 12,499 lbs gross take off weight) |
| Engine Type | Reciprocating |
| Number of Engines | 1 engine |
| Number of Seats | 4 seats |
Safety Analysis
Composition of NTSB accident records for this model in general-aviation operations (FAR Part 91 and 137), based on NTSB data as of May 1, 2026. It's a breakdown of recorded accidents rather than a safety rating, and types with significant non-GA operation (such as Part 135) may be under-represented.
Accidents are identity-confirmed against FAA registration records (two independent sources).
18 exact, 9 recovered, 1 provisional
MethodologyTotal recorded general-aviation accidents within the analyzed period.
1 fatal accidents.
3.6% of recorded accidents were fatal.
Active aircraft fleet size contributing to the exposure data.
5,886
Aircraft-years of FAA registration exposure (2008–present).
Within its peer cohort
Within this model's peer class (same aircraft type, engine class, and seat range), comparison of its share of recorded NTSB accidents to its share of FAA registration exposure (aircraft-years since 2008).
This is a share comparison, not flight-hours adjusted, so a model flown more per airframe than its peers will show an accident share above its exposure share even if its per-hour safety is average. Methodology →
Accidents by year
Recorded NTSB general-aviation accidents per calendar year, derived directly from the NTSB accident database. Each bar shows the accidents that occurred in that year. Methodology →
Investigations take 12–36 months to finalise, so the trailing years come in incomplete. Recent years are adjusted upward for that lag. Observed counts show as solid bars, the lag-adjusted estimate shows hatched.
Phase of flight
Which phase of flight each accident occurred in, as coded by the NTSB. Most accidents happen in the phases where most flying time is concentrated, so this isn't a measure of which phase is most dangerous.
Finding category
Top-level NTSB cause category, from the coded investigation findings. An accident often has more than one finding, so totals here can exceed the recorded accident count.
Injury severity
NTSB classification of the worst injury in each accident: None, Minor, Serious, or Fatal. Each accident counts in exactly one severity.
Operating-rule mix (all parts): 091 (28)· NUSN (3)
Recorded Accidents
All 28 recorded NTSB general-aviation accidents for this model, most recent first.
| Date | Location | Tail | Damage | Highest injury | Phase of flight | Finding categories |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summerdale, AL | N4178V | Substantial | Minor | Takeoff | unknown | |
| Fitchburg, MA | N2589V | Substantial | None | Landing | Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues | |
| Oxford, ME | N2607V | Substantial | None | Landing | Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues | |
| McKinley Village, AK | N3474C | Substantial | None | Approach | Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues | |
| Wasilla, AK | N4464B | Substantial | None | Takeoff | Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues | |
| Wheatland, WY | N4067V | Substantial | Minor | Landing | Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues | |
| Stoney Point, NC | N2656V | Substantial | Serious | Approach | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| San Antonio, TX | N4019V | Substantial | None | Landing | Aircraft, Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Ardmore, TN | N3962V | Substantial | Minor | Emergency descent | Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Valley Center, KS | N170RH | Substantial | Minor | Takeoff | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Selah, WA | N4087V | Substantial | None | Approach | Personnel issues, Environmental issues, Aircraft | |
| Big Lake, AK | N4133V | Destroyed | None | Approach | Aircraft, Personnel issues, Environmental issues | |
| Axtell, KS | N4189V | Substantial | None | Approach | Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues | |
| Williston, FL | N4244V | Destroyed | Fatal | Initial climb | Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues | |
| Buffalo, NY | C-FHER | Substantial | None | Landing | Personnel issues, Aircraft, Environmental issues | |
| Raymond, MS | N4027V | Substantial | None | Prior to flight | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Wikieup, AZ | N2594V | Destroyed | None | Takeoff | Environmental issues, Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Ridgely, MD | N4216V | Substantial | None | Approach | Not determined, Personnel issues | |
| Cleveland, GA | N2552V | Substantial | None | Taxi | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Plainville, CT | N2585V | Substantial | None | Prior to flight | Personnel issues, Aircraft | |
| Livermore, CA | N3826V | Substantial | Serious | Landing | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Panama City, FL | N2561V | Substantial | Serious | Emergency descent | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Biddeford, ME | N3812V | Substantial | Minor | Emergency descent | Aircraft, Personnel issues | |
| Pahrump, NV | N1677D | Substantial | None | Approach | Not determined | |
| Truckee, CA | N3967V | Substantial | None | Landing | Environmental issues, Personnel issues, Aircraft |
Page 1 of 2 (showing accidents 1–25 of 28).
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