# NTSB CEN24LA192: Cessna 170, N74887, Sealy, TX, May 15, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 15, 2024, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Sealy, TX - Coordinates: 29.727974, -96.060159 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7280&lon=-96.0602&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Houston FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 194283 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA192 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194283/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194283 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA192 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff, that resulted in an impact with a tree and the ground. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 91 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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 on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Evacuation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported during the takeoff from the turf runway with a crosswind present, he advanced the throttle “a little too fast.” As the tail of the airplane lifted off the ground, the pilot admitted he failed to apply “consistent” right rudder. The pilot closed the throttle and applied the brakes; however the left wing impacted a tree, the airplane spun to the left, and the right wing and the right elevator impacted the ground. The airplane came to rest upright in a ditch, and all three occupants were able to egress from the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the right elevator. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. At the time of the accident, the airplane was 59 pounds below the maximum gross weight. The estimated density altitude for the closest meteorological reporting station, near the time of the accident, was 2,711 ft above mean sea level. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N74887](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N74887), registered now, S/N 25853, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 170 (B) - 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: 25853 - Year built: 1953 - Airframe hours: 4099.22 - Engines: Continental Motors O-300D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 8, 2024, 7.6 hours before - Airport: 1XA7, Gloster Aerodrome, runway 02/20, 3,292 × 70 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 11, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 835 total, 10 in this make and model, 731 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 7 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 inHg - Observed at: KTME, 9 nm away - METAR: KTME 152215Z AUTO 16007G15KT 10SM CLR 33/19 A2977 RMK AO2 ## 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 20240515007989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240515007989A), May 15, 2024: Cessna 170B, Sealy, TX, Substantial damage. On 5/15/2024 around 17:30 CST, rwy 20 at Sealy, TX (1XA7) pilot did not maintain directional control during the take off roll. An inadequate amount of right… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 13, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194283. 5.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17189695&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_1%20N74887_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident photographs (item 2, PDF, 5 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17189863&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photographs-Rel.pdf - Wind and density altitude information (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 230 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17188655&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wind%20and%20Density%20Altitude%20Information-Rel.pdf - Cessna 170 series owner's manual - excerpts (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 295 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17189260&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Cessna%20170%20Series%20Owner%27s%20Manual%20-%20Excerpts-Rel.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.