# NTSB ATL87DEI09: Cessna 170B, N3142A, Upper Sandusky, OH, July 11, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 11, 1987, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Upper Sandusky, OH
- Coordinates: 40.829463, -83.280609 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8295&lon=-83.2806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7231
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87DEI09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7231/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87DEI09

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF ATTEMPT FROM RUNWAY 36 THE AIRCRAFT VEERED TO THE LEFT ABOUT 250 FEET FROM THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD AND CONTACTED THE GROUND. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT A CROSSWIND CAUGHT HIM OFF GUARD. WEATHER INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM FINDLAY FLIGHT SERVICE STATION, 18 NAUTICAL MILES FROM THE ACCIDENT SCENE, REPORTED THE WIND FROM 260 DEGREES AT 12 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3142A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3142A), registered now, S/N 25786, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B
- Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25786
- Airframe hours: 3751
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-B 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Phillip D. Seely
- Registered owner: Charles H Moore
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 9, 1987, 85 hours before
- Destination: Y85, HILLSDALE, MI
- Airport: 56D, Wyandot County, runway 36, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 143 total, 71 in this make and model, 113 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FDY, 18 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 19870711037429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870711037429A), Jul 11, 1987: Cessna 170B, Upper Sandusky, OH, Substantial damage. Lost control and crashed attempting takeoff in a 12 knot crosswind.

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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