# NTSB ATL89LA091: Cessna 170B, N8032A, Cleveland, TN, February 18, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 18, 1989, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Cleveland, TN
- Coordinates: 35.120437, -85.279678 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1204&lon=-85.2797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 19, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7989
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7989/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA091

## Probable cause

FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER BY THE PILOT AND HIS DELAY IN DIVERTING TO AN ALTERNATE AIRPORT WHICH LED TO A PARTIAL POWER LOSS AND AN EMERGENCY LANDING.  THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND SOFT TERRAIN WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - precautionary landing - performed
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD HE OBTAINED A WX BRIEFING BEFORE HIS INITIAL FLT. EN ROUTE, HE LANDED TO CHECK THE WX AGAIN. AFTER THE 2ND TAKEOFF, WX WAS OBTAINED IN FLT FROM THE ATIS AT KNOXVILLE, TN. THE ATIS RPTD 900 FEET OVC, 8 MI VIS, & SEVERE ICINGIN THE LOCAL AREA. EARLIER IN THE FLT, THE PLT HAD USED CARB HEAT DUE TO THE WX CONDS. WITH THE CARB HEAT APPLIED, THE ACFT ENTERED A SNOW SHOWER & LOSS OF RPM ENSUED. ALSO, AIRFRAME ICING WAS ENCOUNTERED. THE PLT ELECTED TO DIVERT TO A NEARBY ARPT; HOWEVER, THE RPM COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED & A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING WAS MADE IN A FIELD. DRG THE LANDING, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED SOFT TERRAIN & NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8032A (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20884
- Airframe hours: 1370
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Shelly R. Decker
- Registered owner: Shelly R Decker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 4, 1989, 3 hours before
- Departed: JAU, JACKSBORO, TN
- Destination: RMG, ROME, GA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 11,273 total, 560 in this make and model, 10,864 as pilot in command, 84 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHA, 15 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 19890218002279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890218002279A), Feb 18, 1989: Cessna STC170, Cleveland, TN, Substantial damage. Operated VFR into IMC in snow showers. Made precautionary landing in a farm field and nosed over. Ice on aircraft.

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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