# NTSB ANC87LA059: Cessna 170, N1604D, Talkeetna, AK, April 18, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 18, 1987, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Talkeetna, AK
- Coordinates: 62.450485, -149.78981 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.4505&lon=-149.7898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4840
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4840/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA059

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - fuselage,seat - distorted (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuselage,seat - worn (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

ON ACCELERATION FOR TAKEOFF THE FRONT SEAT ADJUSTING CATCH BECAME DISENGAGED SLIDING AFT TO THE REAR. THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO NOSE OVER ON ITS BACK. EXAMINATION OF THE LEFT SEAT TRACK SHOWS THE TRACK WAS WORN OUT AND DISTORTED TO THE POINT WHERE THE ADJUSTMENT PIN WOULD NOT LOCK IN THE FULL DOWN POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1604D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1604D-1989-06-30), registration cancelled 1989-06-30, S/N 20246 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170
- Registry model: [Cessna 170A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170a) (registry code 2072304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20246
- Airframe hours: 3830
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Brian P. O'Bryne
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1986, 71 hours before
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: TKA, Talkeetna, runway 36, 4,000 × 80 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,494 total, 27 in this make and model, 1,535 as pilot in command, 99 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19870418010119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870418010119A), Apr 18, 1987: Cessna 170A, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. The pilot seat disengaged during takeoff causing aircraft to veer off runway. Pilot failed to check seat latching.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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