# NTSB ATL04LA036: Cessna 170B, N2521D, Suches, GA, November 15, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 15, 2003, 16:18 local (21:18 UTC) - Place: Suches, GA - Coordinates: 34.692222, -84.007499 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6922&lon=-84.0075&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 4 minor - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Atlanta FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 58344 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL04LA036 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58344/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04LA036 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a go-round that resulted in an inadvertent stall and the subsequent collision with trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr) - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) ## Analysis According to the pilot, during a short local flight he made an attempt to land at a private airstrip. While on the short final the pilot initiated a go-around. As the pilot reduced the flaps the airplane began to descend towards the trees. According to the pilot, as he attempted to climb, the airplane stalled and collided with the trees. Examination of the airplane revealed the left outboard wing broke off and the airplane came to rest nose down at the base of the tree. No mechanical or flight control malfunctions were report by the pilot prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On November 15, 2003, at 1618 eastern standard time, a Cessna 170B, N2521D registered to and operated by a private pilot collided with a tree during an attempted go-around at High Valley Airpark, Suches, Georgia. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, with no flight plan filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot received serious injuries and the four passengers reported minor injuries. The flight departed Lawrenceville, Georgia, on November 15, 2003, at 1600. According to the pilot, during a local flight he made an attempt to land at a private airstrip. While on short final to land on runway 02 the pilot decided he did not have enough runway available to stop the airplane after touchdown, and initiated a go-around. As the pilot reduced the flaps the airplane began to descend towards the trees. According to the pilot, as he attempted to climb, the airplane stalled and collided with the trees. Examination of the airplane revealed the left outboard wing broke off and the airplane came to rest nose down at the base of the tree. No mechanical or flight control malfunctions were report by the pilot prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2521D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2521D-2004-10-17), registration cancelled 2004-10-17, S/N 20673, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 170B - Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20673 - Airframe hours: 4485 - Engines: Continental 0300B SP6 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David E Pease - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 8, 2003, 0 hours before - Departed: LZU, LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - Destination: GA87, SUCHES, GA - Airport: GA87, High Valley Airpark, runway 20, 2,000 × 60 ft ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review May 4, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 358 total, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: KMGE, 53 nm away ## 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 20031115031099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031115031099A), Nov 15, 2003: Cessna 170B, Suches, GA, Substantial damage. (-23) On November 15, 2003, at 1600 eastern standard time, a Cessna 170B, N2521D registered to and operated by a private pilot collided with a tree during an… 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.