# NTSB ANC96LA070: Cessna 170B, N3193B, Palmer, AK, May 6, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 6, 1996, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Palmer, AK - Coordinates: 61.619728, -148.980087 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6197&lon=-148.9801&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2840 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA070 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2840/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA070 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of certification, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot stated that during takeoff he applied two notches of flap because the first notch did not work. As he was climbing out, the airplane began to settle and he applied full flaps. The airplane struck the tops of the trees and crashed to the ground. The pilot had surrendered his student pilot certificate, which did not have any endorsements for solo flight or operations in tailwheel airplanes, three weeks prior to the accident flight. ## Factual narrative On May 6, 1996, at 1400 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 170B airplane, N3193B, registered to and operated by the pilot, crashed after takeoff from a private airstrip located near the Valley Baptist School in Palmer, Alaska. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, was departing the airstrip and the destination was Lake Creek, Alaska. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The non certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured and the airplane was destroyed by postimpact fire. During a telephone conversation with the FAA Flight Standards District Office Inspector, who interviewed the pilot, he stated that the pilot had voluntarily surrendered his student pilot certificate on April 19, 1996. There were no endorsements for solo flight or for operations in tailwheel airplanes. The FAA Inspector stated the pilot indicated he had 750 pounds of groceries on board the airplane. He was transporting the groceries to the store at Lake Creek, whose owners were reimbursing him for the cost of his fuel. The pilot stated he used 2 notches of flap for takeoff because the first notch of flaps did not work. After lift-off he encountered turbulence and the airplane began to settle. He applied the third notch of flaps, the full flap position, and the airplane continued to descend. The airplane crashed in the driveway of a nearby home. According to the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot indicated that there is a 150 foot high hill off the end of the airstrip and left of the centerline. As he was climbing out and downwind of the hill, he felt the airplane start to settle. At this point the pilot stated he applied full flaps. After the accident he noticed "dust devils" swirling around the parking ramp at the departure end of the airstrip. The pilot stated there were no mechanical difficulties with the airplane during the takeoff. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3193B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3193B-1997-05-05), registration cancelled 1997-05-05, S/N 25436 (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: 25436 - Airframe hours: 4088 - Engines: Continental O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gary Leeds - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 18, 1996, 17 hours before - Departed: AK - Destination: LAKE CREEK, AK - Airport: Private Owned Airstrip, runway 27, 1,600 × 100 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; seat: left; flight hours: 400 total, 300 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 6 knots, gusting 8 - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °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 19960506012869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960506012869A), May 6, 1996: Cessna 170B, Palmer, AK, Destroyed. Full load. Settled. Tried remain airborne using full flaps. Crashed in driveway. No endorsements of tailwheel plane ## Other investigations on N3193B (1) 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. - [NTSB ANC69D0117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC69D0117), Mar 13, 1969: Cessna 170 (N3193B), Big Delta, AK, no damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.