# NTSB ANC89FA076: Cessna 170B, N3132B, Birchwood, AK, May 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1989, 16:02 local (May 23, 1989, 00:02 UTC)
- Place: Birchwood, AK
- Coordinates: 61.410072, -149.170593 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4101&lon=-149.1706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5109
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89FA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5109/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89FA076

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ASSURE THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS IN THE PROPER DETENT FOR TAKEOFF.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS:  THE SOFT/MUDDY TERRAIN CONDITIONS IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED HE MADE AN ENG RUN-UP WITH THE FUEL SELECTOR IN THE LEFT TANK POSITION, THEN HE MOVED THE SELECTOR TO USE THE RIGHT TANK FOR TAKEOFF.  DURING TAKEOFF, THE ACFT CLIMBED APRX 200 TO 300 FT AGL, THEN THE ENG LOST POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A SWAMP/MUD FLAT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT OR ENG WAS FOUND.  THE PLT RPRTD THAT WHEN HE TOUCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR HANDLE, DURING THE EMERGENCY RESTART PROCEDURE, HE FELT THE SELECTOR GO INTO THE RIGHT DETENT POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3132B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3132B-1989-11-13), registration cancelled 1989-11-13, S/N 25374 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B
- Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25374
- Airframe hours: 3370
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael & Linda Petrie
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 20, 1988, 34 hours before
- Departed: Z15
- Airport: Z15, Birchwood, runway 19, 4,000 × 100 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 68 total, 13 in this make and model, 29 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F

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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