# NTSB ATL89LA136: Cessna 170, N4409V, Orwell, OH, April 24, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 24, 1989, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Orwell, OH
- Coordinates: 41.530502, -80.849189 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5305&lon=-80.8492&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 September 5, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8021
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA136
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8021/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA136

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO TAKEOFF ON UNSUITABLE TERRAIN, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS INABILITY TO ATTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED TO CLEAR THE FENCE(S) NEAR THE END OF THE RUNWAY. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE SOFT RUNWAY/TERRAIN CONDITIONS & THE FENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
- Nose over, other
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT BEGAN TO TAKE OFF FROM HIS PRIVATE STRIP, WHICH WAS ABOUT 1300' LONG. A PORTION OF THE STRIP HAD RECENTLY BEEN PLOWED & WAS SOFT. RPRTDLY, THE ACFT BEGAN TO DECELERATED DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL & DID NOT ATTAIN SUFFICIENT SPEED TO CLEAR A FENCE AT THE END OF THE STRIP. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR SNAGGED A WIRE & THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER HIT A FENCE POST. THE ACFT CLEARED A 2ND FENCE, BUT HIT A 3RD FENCE. IT THEN LANDED, BUT ENCTRD SOFT TERRAIN & SUBSEQUENTLY NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4409V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4409V-2012-11-09), registration cancelled 2012-11-09, S/N 18542, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170
- Registry model: [Cessna 170](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170) (registry code 2072302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18542
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Paul Hatala
- Registered owner: Paul Hatala
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, October 16, 1988
- Airport: Private Strip, runway 13, 1,300 × 50 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 200 total, 21 in this make and model, 170 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890424009869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890424009869A), Apr 24, 1989: Cessna 170, Orwell, OH, Substantial damage. Tried to takeoff on plowed surface,aircraft decelerated on roll. Struck 3 fences on liftoff and nosed over.

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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