# NTSB CEN20TA088: Cessna 170, N170RH, Valley Center, KS, February 16, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Final report - Date: February 16, 2020, 15:02 local (21:02 UTC) - Place: Valley Center, KS - Coordinates: 37.842777, -97.351387 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8428&lon=-97.3514&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 100955 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20TA088 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100955/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100955 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20TA088 ## Probable cause The pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff when the airplane passed the point where he had anticipated the liftoff would occur. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: takeoff distance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 170, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 170, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that with about 500 ft of the 2,200-ft runway remaining, the airplane was traveling about 60 mph; the liftoff speed is 60 to 65 mph. He considered aborting the takeoff but determined that it was not safe due to the road that ran perpendicular to the end of the runway. As the pilot rotated the airplane, it abruptly pitched up, began sinking, and did not accelerate, so he elected to land straight ahead in an open field. After touchdown, the right landing gear broke and the spring leg dug into the ground. The airplane subsequently rotated about the leg, and the fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot had conducted a preflight inspection of the airplane and determined the weight and balance of the airplane was within the manufacturer's limits. He estimated that the takeoff ground run distance was about 1,400 ft, which was about 70% more than the owner's manual recommended. Thus, it is likely that, although sufficient runway was available for takeoff, the airplane did not accelerate sufficiently to sustain flight. Further, the pilot failed to recognize that the airplane wasn’t accelerating and did not abort the takeoff when the airplane passed the point where he had anticipated the liftoff would occur. ## Factual narrative On February 16, 2020, about 1502 central standard time, a Cessna 170 airplane, N170RH, impacted terrain during takeoff from runway 17 at the High Point Airport (3KS5), near Valley Center, Kansas. The airline transport pilot sustained minor injuries and the three passengers were uninjured. The fuselage was substantially damaged during the impact. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area about the time of the accident, and the flight was not operated on a flight plan. The local flight was originating from 3KS5 at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he was taking off when the accident occurred. He conducted a preflight inspection of the airplane, and also determined the weight and balance of the airplane was within the airframe manufacturer's limits. He estimated that the takeoff ground run distance was about 1,400 ft, which was about 70% more than the owner's manual performance value for a normal takeoff with no wind using a level, paved runway. He walked some of the takeoff area and determined the grass runway was "wet, but a solid surface." The windsock indicated about 8 knots at 160°. With over 2,200 ft of runway available and a slight downhill gradient, he deemed the available runway length to be adequate. He held the brakes letting the airplane reach maximum power before he released the brakes. The pilot reported that the aircraft was indicating 60+ mph with about 500 feet of runway left when he considered aborting the takeoff, but determined that was not safe due to the road that ran perpendicular to the end of the runway. He continued to accelerate and rotated at the end of the runway. The aircraft abruptly pitched up and the pilot lowered the nose. The aircraft began sinking and was not accelerating. the pilot determined the best course of action would be to land straight ahead in an open field. After touchdown the aircraft's right side spring landing gear broke and the spring leg dug into the ground. The airplane subsequently rotated, and the fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot indicated that there were no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane during the takeoff, and that the airplane had accelerated normally. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N170RH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N170RH), registered now, S/N 18030, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 170 (Undesignat) - 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: 18030 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 3593.6 - Engines: Continental C145 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 9, 2019 - Departed: 3KS5, Valley Center, KS - Destination: 3KS5, Valley Center, KS - Airport: 3KS5, High Point, runway 17, 2,400 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: minor; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 16, 2019; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 6,200 total, 8 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 84 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: KAAO, 8 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 20200216000149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200216000149A), Feb 16, 2020: Cessna 170, Valley Center, KS, Substantial damage. On 16 feb 2020 I was notified of an aircraft accident that occurred at High Point Airport in Valley Center, KS at approximately 1500 hours local time. The… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 1, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100955. 3.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481830&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement - Weight & Balance (item 2, .PDF, 892 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481831&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement%20-%20Weight%20%26%20Balance-Master.PDF - Photos (item 3, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481832&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-Master.PDF 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.