# NTSB DEN84LA265: Cessna 170B, N7681, Poplar, MT, August 24, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1984, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Poplar, MT
- Coordinates: 48.300422, -105.189727 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.3004&lon=-105.1897&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16467
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN84LA265
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16467/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN84LA265

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

PLT STATED, 'RIVER CURRENT 12-15 MPH, LANDING AREA 100 YARDS WIDE, CURVING TO RIGHT, WIND GUSTING TO 20 KNOTS FROM RIGHT REAR QUARTER. APPROACH WAS FAST, AND UPON LANDING, AIRCRAFT REMAINED ON STEP, UNRESPONSIVE TO AILERON AND RUDDER FOR TURNING. QUARTERING TAILWIND PUSHED AIRCRAFT INTO OUTER BANK OF RIVER WITH ENGINE IDLING, AIRCRAFT STILL TAXIING ON STEP AT PERHAPS 30 MPH. DECISION NOT TO APPLY POWER AND GET BACK OFF WATER BECAUSE OF STRONG TAILWIND AND LIMITED SPACE TO RESUME FLYING SPEED. AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER ITS NOSE AND ONTO ITS BACK, RESTING ON RIVER BANK.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7681](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7681-2013-02-26), registration cancelled 2013-02-26, S/N 26524, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B
- Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 26524
- Airframe hours: 3822
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Island Harbor Design, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 21, 1984
- Departed: 79S, FORT BENTON, MT
- Airport: 42S, Poplar

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 429 total, 155 in this make and model, 362 as pilot in command, 139 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GGW, 87 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 19840824043579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840824043579A), Aug 24, 1984: Cessna 170B, Poplar, MT, Substantial damage. Pilot made downwind landing on river with current. Aircraft hit river bank and overturned.

## Other investigations on N7681 (1)

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.

- [NTSB DEN73DTC12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN73DTC12), Nov 1, 1972: Cessna 170B (N7681), Hanna, WY, substantial damage

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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