# NTSB ATL90LA004: Cessna 170, N11575, Mooresville, NC, October 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 8, 1989, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Mooresville, NC
- Coordinates: 35.570213, -80.810005 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5702&lon=-80.8100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8165
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8165/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA004

## Probable cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUGHDOWN POINT ON THE UNIDIRECTIONAL RUNWAY.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  THE UNFAVORABLE WIND AND TERRAIN CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not possible, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT TOOK OFF FROM A UNIDIRECTIONAL AIRSTRIP FOR A LOCAL FLT. BY THE TIME HE HAD RETURNED, THE WIND SHIFTED TO THE NORTH & WAS GUSTING TO 15 KTS (A QUARTERING TAILWIND FOR LANDING). THE PLT FLEW OVER THE STRIP TO EVALUATE THE WIND & ELECTED TO LAND. DURING THE LANDING, THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT HALFWAY DOWN THE RWY. AFTER BEING COMMITTED TO LAND, THE PLT APPLIED HVY BRAKES. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE STEERED THE ACFT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY AT THE DEP END, WHERE IT ENCTRD TALL GRASS ON SOFT TERRAIN & NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N11575](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N11575), registered now, S/N 19540, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170
- Registry model: [Cessna 170A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170a) (registry code 2072304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 19540
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A3 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airport: Morrison, runway 15, 1,500 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 421 total, 175 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: HKY

## 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 19891008039239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891008039239A), Oct 8, 1989: Cessna 170A, Cornelius, NC, Substantial damage. Veered off one way downwind runway to prevent overrun. Hit brakes in the soft ground and flipped 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.

---
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.