# NTSB BFO88LA042: Cessna 170, N4022V, Mechanicsville, MD, May 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 30, 1988, 23:10 local (May 1, 1988, 03:10 UTC)
- Place: Mechanicsville, MD
- Coordinates: 38.429325, -76.730087 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4293&lon=-76.7301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11409
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88LA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11409/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88LA042

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - cooling system,cowling - blocked(total) (cause)
  - powerplant - overtemperature (contributing factor)
  - powerplant - failure,partial (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
  - landing gear,main gear - separation

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS FLOWN WITH THE ENGINE COWLING PLUGS INSTALLED. THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND IT LOST POWER. THE PLT SAID HE FORGOT TO REMOVE THE PLUGS DURING THE PREFLIGHT. DURING THE FORCED LANDING ROLL THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A BERM AND THE RT MAIN LNDG GEAR WAS SHEARED OFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4022V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4022V-2014-12-17), registration cancelled 2014-12-17, S/N 18341, 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 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18341
- Airframe hours: 2900
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lawrence R. Davis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 1987
- Departed: W28, FRIENDLY, MD
- Destination: 2W6, LEONARDTOWN, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,287 total, 230 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 260° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NHK, 17 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 19880430011159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880430011159A), Apr 30, 1988: Cessna STC170, Mechanicsville, MD, Substantial damage. Forced landing in a plowed field after power loss. Struck pole on rollout. Cowling air inlets were covered.

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.