# NTSB CHI92LA126: Cessna 170B, N1966C, St. James, MO, April 11, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 11, 1992, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: St. James, MO
- Coordinates: 38.000392, -91.609497 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0004&lon=-91.6095&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15424
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15424/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA126

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM TERRAIN DURING THE ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF AND CLIMB OUT. A RELATED FACTOR WAS THE RISING TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - tailwind
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TAKING OFF FROM THE PILOT'S PRIVATE GRASS AIRSTRIP WITH A LEFT QUARTERING TAILWIND. WITNESSES STATED THE TAIL LIFTED OFF PREMATURELY AND THE AIRPLANE TURNED TOWARD THE LEFT. ONE WITNESS REPORTED THE AIRPLANE CAME OFF THE GROUND AND FLEW AT LOW AIRSPEED (AND ALTITUDE) ACROSS THE VALLEY TO THE NORTH, THEN APPEARED TO STALL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1966C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1966C-2015-05-06), registration cancelled 2015-05-06, S/N 26111, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B
- Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 26111
- Airframe hours: 2429
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Tonding, Lowell C.
- Registered owner: Tonding, Lowell C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 7, 1992, 9 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Airport: NONE, None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,025 total, 8 in this make and model, 950 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19920411009629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920411009629A), Apr 11, 1992: Cessna 170B, St James, MO, Destroyed. Stalled on nose high climbing turn after takeoff. Appeared pilot incapacitation. Not verified.

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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