# NTSB ATL95LA166: Cessna 170, N8233E, Hartwell, GA, September 9, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 9, 1995, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Hartwell, GA
- Coordinates: 34.350093, -82.929832 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3501&lon=-82.9298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 1, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3622
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3622/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA166

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL AND FAILURE TO TAKE APPROPRIATE REMEDIAL ACTION.  A FACTOR WAS TREES.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

During the takeoff roll, the aircraft veered off the right side of the runway and collided with trees. According to the pilot, before the collision with the trees, he attempted to correct the drift by adding left rudder. Examination of the aircraft failed to disclose a mechanical problem or system malfunction.

## Factual narrative

On September 9, 1995, at 1900 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 170, N8233E, collided with trees on the right side of the runway during a takeoff attempt from a private airstrip in Hartwell, Georgia. The personal flight operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot and three passengers were not injured. The flight's initial departure time from Peachtree City, Georgia, was not determined.

According to the pilot, the aircraft had started to drift to the right. To correct for the drift he applied left rudder but it was to late. The leading edge of the right wing had already clipped some trees.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8233E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8233E-2013-03-22), registration cancelled 2013-03-22, S/N 26802, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170
- 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: 26802
- Airframe hours: 1556
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wayne D. Medlin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 19, 1995, 10 hours before
- Destination: NONE, PEACHTREE CITY, GA
- Airport: NONE, Lake Hartwell Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,500 total, 100 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 24° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AND, 7 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 19950909028409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950909028409A), Sep 9, 1995: Cessna 170B, Hartwell, GA, Substantial damage. Drifted right on takeoff from private strip. Corrected too late right wing clipped trees.

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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