# NTSB CHI98LA144: Cessna 170A, N1491D, Emily, MN, May 10, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 10, 1998, 13:25 local (18:25 UTC) - Place: Emily, MN - Coordinates: 46.749187, -93.959526 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7492&lon=-93.9595&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10869 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA144 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10869/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA144 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain the proper rate of descent on final. A factor was the vegetation (bushes). ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1491D-2003-04-23), registration cancelled 2003-04-23, S/N 20093, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 170A - Registry model: [Cessna 170A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170a) (registry code 2072304) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20093 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19980510015349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980510015349A), May 10, 1998: Cessna 170A, Emily, MN, Substantial damage. Veered off runway landing. Struck trees. Nosed over. (.4)the pilot stated that, 'she saw herself sinking below glide path, added power, but the airplane didn't… 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.