CHI98LA144

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 170A · Emily, MN · May 10, 1998

Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
May 10, 1998, 13:25 local (18:25 UTC)
Place
Emily, MN
Injuries
3 minor
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Approach
Aircraft
N1491DCessna 170A
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report June 21, 2000
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19980510015349A
Case key
10869

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 failure to maintain the proper rate of descent on final. A factor was the vegetation (bushes).

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.

In flight collision with objectApproach - vfr pattern - final approach
Airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - high vegetationFactor
Proper descent rate - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
Nose overLanding - flare/touchdown

Analysis

The pilot stated that, 'she saw herself sinking below glide path, added power, but the airplane didn't respond.' When asked if she tried to go-around she stated, 'I wanted to go-around, but the airplane wouldn't climb out, even with full power.' The pilot stated that the aircraft, 'clipped bushes at the end of the runway.' The pilot reported that she had two notches of flaps extended during the approach. The pilot stated to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector that the aircraft, 'started sinking,' and that she maintained an, 'approach attitude,' and started to add power. The pilot was asked if she felt that she got behind the power curve, and she responded that she did not know what that was. The pilot stated that there were no problems with the engine prior and during the time of the accident.

Factual narrative

On May 10, 1998, at 1325 central daylight time, a Cessna 170A, N1491D, was substantially damaged during a collision with high vegetation and subsequent nose over during the landing on a private airstrip (2,000 feet by 100 feet, soft/grass) near Emily, Minnesota. The private pilot and two passengers reported minor injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Moritz Air Field, Emily, Minnesota, at 1310.

According to the pilot's written statement, the pilot stated that she added power to maintain proper airspeed and altitude while descending to the runway. The pilot reported that she had two notches of flaps extended during the approach. The pilot went on to say that she advanced the throttle completely before touching down on the runway. The pilot confirmed that the aircraft, "clipped bushes at the end of the runway."

In a telephone conversation with the pilot, she stated that, "she saw herself sinking below glide path, added power, but the airplane didn't respond." When asked if she tried to go-around she stated, "I wanted to go-around, but the airplane wouldn't climb out, even with full power."

The pilot stated to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector that the aircraft, "started sinking," and that she maintained an, "approach attitude," and started to add power. The pilot was asked if she felt that she got behind the power curve, and she responded that she did not know what that was. The pilot stated that there were no problems with the engine prior and during the time of the accident.

The pilot reported to a Crow Wing County Sheriff Deputy that she felt like she was getting low on the approach and, "gave it more gas." The pilot stated that, "...I gave it all the gas that I could while pulling back on the yoke which is what we do when we land the tail dragger."

Aircraft

Registration
N1491D
Reported as
Cessna 170A
Category
Airplane
Serial number
20093
Engine
Continental O-300-C, 145 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Randal Leonard Moritz
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · April 1, 1997 · 85 hours before
Departed
PVT
Airport
PVT · Moritz Air Field, runway 11, 2,000 × 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
22
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat
Left
Flight hours
186 total · 145 in this make and model · 107 as pilot in command · 10 in the last 90 days · 7 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
110° at 3 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
70 °F, dew point 41 °F
Altimeter
30.00 inHg
Observed at
PWC, 20 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.