# NTSB CHI93LA342: Cessna 170, N3825V, Lexington, IL, August 28, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 28, 1993, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Lexington, IL - Coordinates: 40.640888, -88.780548 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6409&lon=-88.7805&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 4 minor - Status: Completed, report August 17, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9298 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA342 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9298/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA342 ## Probable cause an inadequate climb airspeed by the pilot-in-command. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - climb - not possible, pilot in command - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis WHILE ON INITIAL CLIMB FOLLOWING TAKEOFF, THE PILOT STATED, HE ENCOUNTERED '...A LITTLE AIR BUMP...' AT AN INDICATED AIRSPEED OF 65 TO 70 MPH. HE STATED THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO LOSE AIRSPEED, DECELERATING TO APPROXIMATELY 55 TO 60 MPH. UPON PITCHING DOWN TO REGAIN AIRSPEED THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED INTO THE TREES. THIS FLIGHT WAS THE PILOT'S FIRST FLIGHT IN THE AIRPLANE AT ITS MAXIMUM WEIGHT. ## Factual narrative On August 28, 1993, at 1430 central daylight time (CDT), a Cessna 170, N3825V, registered to the Chenoa Cloud Hopers Incorporated, of Chenoa, Illinois, and piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed during a collision with trees and terrain while on an initial climb from takeoff. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and three passengers reported minor injuries. The flight originated from Lexington, Illinois, at 1425 CDT. During an interview with the pilot he stated the airplane lifted off the ground at 60 to 65 mile per hour (mph) indicated airspeed (IAS) and began climbing at 65 to 70 mph. He stated the airplane encountered a "...little air bump..." shortly after lift off and began to lose airspeed despite him lowering the pitch attitude. He stated he did not have sufficient altitude to lower the pitch any further and the descended into the trees shortly after his pitch down action. The pilot reported in his NTSB Form 6120.1/2 that he was approximately 175 feet above the ground when the airplane first encountered the turbulence. The airplane encountered a second area of turbulence approximately five to ten seconds after the first encounter. According to Cessna 170 Owner's Manual, the normal climb airspeed for the airplane should be 87 MPH. The on-scene investigation revealed the airplane was loaded to within approximately 50 pounds of gross weight. The terrain elevation in the area of the accident varies between 850 and 900 feet above mean sea level. The accident flight was the pilot's first experience with flying the airplane fully loaded. The accident airplane's engine was checked by a Federal Aviation Administration Principal Maintenance Inspector. The inspection revealed no anomalies which would prevent the engine from running. The propeller had sheared off the engine at the crankshaft flange. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3825V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3825V-1997-03-04), registration cancelled 1997-03-04, S/N 18683 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 170 - Registry model: [Cessna 170](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170) (registry code 2072302) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18683 - Airframe hours: 3663 - Engines: Continental C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Chenoa Cloud Hoppers, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 7, 1993, 119 hours before ## 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: 152 total, 152 in this make and model, 93 as pilot in command, 83 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 7 knots - Visibility: 13 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BMI, 13 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 19930828031569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930828031569A), Aug 28, 1993: Cessna 170, Lexington, IL, Destroyed. Early liftoff and attempt to climb below power curve resulted in descent into trees. First flight at gross weight. 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.