# NTSB CHI85FEM02: Cessna 170A, N4169U, Fruitport, MI, September 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1985, 18:05 local (22:05 UTC)
- Place: Fruitport, MI
- Coordinates: 43.119949, -86.149047 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1199&lon=-86.1490&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12884
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FEM02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12884/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FEM02

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - nacelle/pylon,skin - open (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - panic, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED DURING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AFTER THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENG COWLING OPENED SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. THE PLT REPORTED THE COWLING OPENED AT AN ALT OF APRX 50 FT AGL. A CLIMB TO 300 FT WAS MADE AND THE ACFT WAS TURNED ONTO DOWNWIND. THE PLT STATED IN AN INTERVIEW THAT BECAUSE OF TURBULENCE AND A FEAR THE COWLING WOULD SEPARATE FROM THE ACFT, HE PANICKED AND TRIED TO PUT THE ACFT DOWN IN AN OPEN FLD. THE ACFT CONTACTED THE TERRAIN IN A NOSE DOWN LEFT BANK ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4169U (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18502
- Airframe hours: 1785
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-145 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Larry G Glaser
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 8, 1985, 26 hours before
- Departed: FRUITPORT, MI
- Destination: 3GM, GRAND HAVEN, MI
- Airport: Flying A Ranch, runway 27, 2,500 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 10 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F

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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