# NTSB ANC92LA153: Cessna 170B, N1737D, Ninilchik, AK, September 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1992, 17:33 local (Sep 2, 1992, 01:33 UTC)
- Place: Ninilchik, AK
- Coordinates: 60.070171, -151.419418 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.0702&lon=-151.4194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5797
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5797/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA153

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT ENTERED A LOW ALTITUDE STALL/MUSH DURING AN AIRDROP MANEUVER.  FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE LOW PASS MANEUVER, AND THE IMPROPER ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - low pass - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT MADE A LOW LEVEL PASS TO DROP NEWSPAPERS TO A HUNTING CAMP. WITNESSES SAW A LEFT BANKING TURN AFTER THE PASS AND HEARD AIRCRAFT IMPACT THE TUNDRA, OUT OF SIGHT FROM THE CAMP. PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEO OF THE WRECKAGE SHOW A STEEP NOSE DOWN CRUSH PATTERN, LEFT WING DAMAGE. GROUND SCARS SUPPORT A STEEP NOSE DOWN IMPACT AT LOW SPEED. THE AIRPLANE WRECKAGE RESTS NORMALLY ON UNDAMAGED CONVENTIONAL LANDING GEAR. FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE TANKS. WITNESSES RECALLED THE ENGINE 'SOUNDED NORMAL, AT LOW POWER' AT THE TIME OF THE AIR DROP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1737D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1737D-2015-05-05), registration cancelled 2015-05-05, S/N 20180, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B
- Registry model: [Cessna 170A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170a) (registry code 2072304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20180
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C145 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Shawn E. Imboden
- Registered owner: Shawn E. Imboden
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1992, 3 hours before
- Departed: HOM, HOMER, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 119 total, 119 in this make and model, 75 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F

## 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 19920901034959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920901034959A), Sep 1, 1992: Cessna 170B, Ninilchik, AK, Substantial damage. Stalled after a low slow pass over a campsite to drop a roll of newpapers.

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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