# NTSB CHI93LA299: Cessna 170B, N8163A, Steele, ND, July 30, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 29, 1993, 20:00 local (Jul 30, 1993, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Steele, ND
- Coordinates: 46.850044, -99.910324 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8500&lon=-99.9103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9265
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA299
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9265/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA299

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S POOR IN-FLIGHT DECISION AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER CLEARANCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - animal(s)
  - low pass - intentional, pilot in command
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS MAKING A LOW PASS TO CHECK HIS CATTLE WHEN HIS RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUCK AND KILLED A COW.  THE LANDING GEAR WAS RIPPED FROM THE AIRPLANE.  THE PILOT, WHO FAILED TO PRODUCE A PILOT CERTIFICATE, VALID MEDICAL CERTIFICATE, OR LAST BFR, MADE A LANDING ON A NEIGHBOR'S STRIP WITHOUT THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR. AS A RESULT, THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED, DAMAGING THE RIGHT OUTBOARD WING AND WING TIP.

## Factual narrative

On July 29, 1993 about 2000 central daylight time, a Cessna 170, N8163A sustained substantial damage when it nosed over after making an emergency landing.  The pilot reported no injuries.  The flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot was making a low pass from north to south to check his cattle when he hit a cow with the right main landing gear, killing the cow and tearing the gear from the aircraft.  The pilot reported that the gear assembly and strut fell into a nearby oats field.  He decided to land at his neighbors landing strip because his was too wet.  When he landed without the right gear, the airplane ground looped, damaging the right outboard wing and wing tip.

When asked to produce his pilot certificate and medical certificate, the pilot stated that he had no current medical, and had not planned to fly that day.  When he was asked for his logbook, the pilot stated he had lost it sometime the previous year.  When asked when his last biennial flight review was, he said he wasn't sure, and didn't know the name of the instructor who gave him the BFR.  Examination of the aircraft logbooks found that the airplane did not have a current annual inspection.

In the pilot report statement, the pilot said he applied 10 degrees of flaps and went in a low pass to investigate a calf lying by the water accumulated from heavy rains.  The engine started sputtering, so he applied carburetor heat and tried to get power back.  The plane started settling. When the power came back, he applied full power and started climbing.  At the same time, the right main gear struck a cow.

Postaccident examination revealed no evidence of pre-impact mechanical malfunction with airframe, engine or accessories.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8163A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8163A), registered now, S/N 25015 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B
- Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25015
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Kalainov, Ron
- Registered owner: Ron Kalainov & Dale Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total, 500 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JMS, 60 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 19930729037619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930729037619A), Jul 29, 1993: Cessna 170B, Steele, ND, Substantial damage. Making low pass to check his cattle struck and killed a cow. Landed minus right main gear. Ground looped.

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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