# NTSB CHI03LA180: Cessna 170B, N4478B, Widener, AR, June 24, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 24, 2003, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Widener, AR - Coordinates: 35.021698, -90.685261 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0217&lon=-90.6853&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Little Rock FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57305 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI03LA180 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57305/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI03LA180 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the wires and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed, resulting in a stall. A factor contributing to the accident was the unmarked wires. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - airport facilities,obstruction marking - not installed (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane impacted wires and subsequently the terrain while on approach to a private airstrip. The pilot reported he was at a low altitude and saw wires in front of the airplane. The pilot noted he attempted to maneuver to avoid the wires but "clipped them anyway." The pilot stated he attempted to continue landing and stalled the airplane several feet above the ground. The pilot reported the main landing gear impacted the terrain first and the airplane subsequently rolled over. The wires were not marked for increased visibility. ## Factual narrative On June 24, 2003, about 1230 central daylight time, a Cessna 170B, N4478B, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted a wire and subsequently the terrain while on approach to a private airstrip near Widener, Arkansas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot and his passenger reported no injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The local flight originated from West Memphis Municipal Airport, West Memphis, Arkansas, at 1200. The pilot reported he was practicing landing on a private grass strip. The pilot noted he got too low and saw wires in front of the airplane. The pilot stated he "pulled up to try and clear [the] wires, but clipped wires anyway." The pilot reported he attempted to continue landing and stalled the airplane several feet above the ground. The pilot noted the airplane impacted the terrain main landing gear first, and subsequently rolled over. The wires were not marked for increased visibility. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures prior to the in-flight collision with the wires. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4478B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4478B), registered now, S/N 26822, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 170B - 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: 26822 - Airframe hours: 6496 - Engines: Continental O-300A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 8, 2003, 4 hours before - Departed: AWM, West Memphis, AR - Destination: AWM, West Memphis, AR - Airport: PVT, Private, runway 18, 2,000 × 50 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 10, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 215 total, 130 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: AWM, 16 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 20030624013369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030624013369A), Jun 24, 2003: Cessna 170B, Widener, AR, Substantial damage. (-23) On June 24, 2003, at 12:30 CDT, a Cessna CE-170B, N4478B, struck a small transmission line while on final approach to a Private grass runway east of… 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.