# NTSB DEN00LA106: Cessna 170B, N4514C, Dutch John, UT, June 11, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 10, 2000, 19:00 local (Jun 11, 2000, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Dutch John, UT
- Coordinates: 40.940185, -109.190162 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9402&lon=-109.1902&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 49400
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN00LA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49400/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00LA106

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the trees.  Factors were a high-density altitude and wind gusts.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the winds were high (20 knots) and very gusty (to 30 knots) during his takeoff roll.  He said that after liftoff from runway 29, the airplane 'hit a down draft' and would not gain altitude.  The left wing hit some trees, and the airplane settled to the ground.  Postimpact fire consumed the airplane.  The density altitude was computed to be 8,460 feet.

## Factual narrative

On June 10, 2000, at 1900 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 170B, N4514C, was destroyed by fire following impact with terrain near Dutch John, Utah.  The airline transport pilot and his two passengers were not injured.  The airplane was being operated by the pilot under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight that was originating at the time of the accident.  No flight plan had been filed.

The pilot reported that the winds were high (20 knots) and very gusty (to 30 knots) during his takeoff roll.  He said that after liftoff from runway 29, the airplane "hit a down draft" and would not gain altitude.  The left wing hit some trees, and the airplane settled to the ground.  Postimpact fire consumed the airplane.

The pilot reported a density altitude of 7,400 feet; the NTSB Investigator-In-Charge computed the density altitude to be 8,460 feet (temperature 18 degrees Celsius, altimeter setting 29.92 inches of mercury, and field elevation of 6,561 feet).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4514C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4514C-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N 25458, built 1952 (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: 25458
- Airframe hours: 1583
- Engines: Continental C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James K. Mcdowell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 28, 2000
- Departed: 33U
- Destination: EVW, EVANSTON, WY
- Airport: 33U, Dutch John Airport, runway 29, 6,800 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,503 total, 230 in this make and model, 4,175 as pilot in command, 84 in the last 90 days, 54 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 9 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RKS, 42 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 20000610009789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000610009789A), Jun 10, 2000: Cessna 170B, Dutch John, UT, No damage. (.19) On June 10, 2000, at 1918 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 170B, N451C, was destroyed by fire following impact with terrain near Dutch John, Utah. The…

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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