CHI94LA027

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 170B · Maple Plain, MN · October 27, 1993

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
October 27, 1993, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC)
Place
Maple Plain, MN
Injuries
1 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Landing
Aircraft
N2923DCessna 170B
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report September 7, 1994
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19931027040779A
Case key
9423

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot's improper compensation for wind conditions, failure to maintain runway alignment, and failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the aborted landing. Factors related to the accident were: high obstructions and the adverse wind conditions.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of control - in flightLanding - aborted
Terrain condition - high obstruction(s)Factor
Weather condition - crosswindFactor
Weather condition - gustsFactor
Compensation for wind conditions - inadequatePilot in commandCause
Aborted takeoff - initiatedPilot in command
Proper alignment - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
Airspeed - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
Stall/mush - inadvertentPilot in commandCause
In flight collision with terrain/waterLanding - aborted
Terrain condition - open field

Analysis

The pilot began a landing on a 2900 foot runway with a left crosswind of 10 to 15 knots, gusting 15 to 20 knots. The approach to the runway was over trees and electrical wires. The pilot said that he made the approach with a low power setting, full flaps, and with the carburetor heat on. As he was about to land, there was a sudden loss of airspeed and the airplane dropped to the ground and bounced. The pilot 'applied power to effect a go around to land a little further down the runway.' He said the airplane seemed to weathervane into the wind and began to drift to the left over plowed ground toward trees. He tried to align the flight path more in the direction of the runway; however, the aircraft settled and impacted the plowed ground about 200 to 300 feet left of the runway. A post-accident examination of the airplane failed to reveal any preexisting anomalies.

Factual narrative

On October 27, 1993, at 1415 central daylight time, a Cessna 170B, N2923D, registered to Richard J. Cherba, and operated by a airline transport rated pilot, experienced a loss of control during an aborted landing attempt and impacted in a plowed field adjacent to runway 29 at Maple Plain, Minnesota. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Saint Cloud, Minnesota, at 1140.

The pilot stated that the airplane touched down "firm" and he attempted to abort the landing. The airplane turned to the left. Seeing a tree line coming up the pilot attempted to turn right more in line with the direction of the runway, and the airplane impacted in a plowed field.

A post accident examination of the airplane and engine failed to reveal any pre-existing anomalies.

Aircraft

Registration
N2923D
Reported as
Cessna 170B
Category
Airplane
Serial number
26866
Airframe hours
6,898
Engine
Continental O-300-A, 145 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Operator
Cherba, Richard J.
Registered owner
Cherba, Richard J.
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · July 30, 1993 · 17 hours before
Departed
STC · Saint Cloud, MN
Destination
MN69
Airport
MN69 · Maple Plain, runway 29, 2,900 × 100 ft, grass/turf

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
55
Certificates
Commercial, Airline transport
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 1, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Left
Flight hours
17,005 total · 314 in this make and model · 15,205 as pilot in command · 208 in the last 90 days · 71 in the last 30 days · 12 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
200° at 15 knots, gusting 20
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
36 °F

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.