# NTSB BFO93LA140: Cessna 170B, N2971D, Woodbine, NJ, July 28, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1993, 12:56 local (16:56 UTC)
- Place: Woodbine, NJ
- Location: 39.2283° N, 74.8096° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Woodbine, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2283&lon=-74.8096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8797
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA140
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8797/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA140

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MAINTAINING TOO STEEP OF AN ANGLE OF CLIMB AND AN INADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF CONTROL IN FLIGHT RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF OPERATION WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - proper climb rate - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF AN AIRPLANE INVOLVED IN A BANNER TOW OPERATION REPORTED THAT HE HAD COMPLETED A NORMAL TRAFFIC PATTERN AND APPROACH TO RUNWAY 30 TO PICK UP A BANNER.  HE STATED THAT HE DID A ROUTINE PICK UP FOLLOWED BY A CLIMB.  DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, THE PILOT STATED THAT HIS ANGLE OF ATTACK WAS STEEP AND THE AIRPLANE STALLED. HE STATED THAT HE LOWERED THE AIRPLANE'S NOSE AND THAT THE ENGINE WAS AT FULL POWER, BUT THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE RUNWAY.  WITNESSES ON THE GROUND REPORTED THAT THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR WITH LITTLE OR NO WIND.  ONE WITNESS STATED THAT DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO FLUTTER BEFORE FALLING TO THE GROUND AND IMPACTING THE RUNWAY.  EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE BY THE FAA DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.  THE INVESTIGATION ALSO REVEALED THAT THE PILOT HAD RECEIVED HIS ENDORSEMENT FOR BANNER TOWING SIX DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2971D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2971D-1994-06-16), registration cancelled 1994-06-16, S/N 26914 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B
- Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17026914
- Airframe hours: 4473
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Peter B Hellgren
- Registered owner: Peter B Hellgren
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1993, 108 hours before
- Departed: 1N4
- Destination: 1N4
- Airport: 1N4, Woodbine, runway 3, 3,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 377 total, 50 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: WWD, 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 19930728025999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930728025999A), Jul 28, 1993: Cessna 170B, Woodbine, NJ, Substantial damage. Picked up banner. Climbout was nose high. Stalled. Impacted runway. Received endorsement tow banner 3DAYS prior.

## Other investigations on N2971D (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI67D0061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI67D0061), Jul 7, 1966: Cessna 172D (N2971D), Northbrook, IL, substantial damage

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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