# NTSB CHI87LA216: Cessna 170B, N473CJ, Washington, IN, September 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1987, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Washington, IN
- Coordinates: 38.649482, -87.170562 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6495&lon=-87.1706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13829
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87LA216
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13829/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87LA216

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted landing - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS LANDING THE AIRCRAFT, AFTER RETURNING FROM A PERSONAL CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT, WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED A CROSSWIND GUST AND 'VEERED STRONGLY TO THE RIGHT.' THE PILOT THEN DECIDED TO ABORT THE LANDING AND PROCEEDED TO ADD FULL POWER FOR A GO-AROUND. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE GUST OF WIND WAS 'PUSHING' THE AIRCRAFT INTO THE TREES AT THE EAST END OF THE FIELD AND IN AN ATTEMPT TO MISS THE TREES HE PULLED BACK ON THE YOKE. THE AIRCRAFT CLEARED THE TREES BUT JUST AS IT PASSED OVER THE TREE LINE, THE AIRCRAFT STALLED TO THE RIGHT. THE PILOT STATED HE APPLIED LEFT RUDDER AND LOWERED THE NOSE BUT THE AIRCRAFT ATTEMPTED TO ROLL INVERTED AND IMPACTED THE GROUND WITH THE LEFT WING FIRST, CART-WHEELING THE AIRCRAFT IN A CORN FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N473CJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N473CJ-1988-09-12), registration cancelled 1988-09-12, S/N 25860 (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: 25860
- Airframe hours: 1470
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John Vanwinkle
- Registered owner: John Van Winkle
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, August 7, 1987, 7 hours before
- Departed: 1M9, CADIZ, KY
- Destination: DCY, WASHINGTON, IN
- Airport: DCY, Daviess Company, runway 18, 4,800 × 60 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 267 total, 77 in this make and model, 158 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BMG, 36 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 19870920053559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870920053559A), Sep 20, 1987: Cessna 170B, Washington, IN, Substantial damage. The aircraft stalled during go around in gusty winds. The pilot attempted landing in 25 knot crosswinds.

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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