# NTSB DEN85LA194: Cessna 170B, N5414C, Kalispell, MT, July 21, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1985, 21:00 local (Jul 21, 1985, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Kalispell, MT
- Coordinates: 48.190486, -114.379302 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1905&lon=-114.3793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16729
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA194
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16729/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA194

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - temperature extremes (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled
  - stall - premature, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS RETURNING FROM A LOCAL PLEASURE FLT, IT WAS A HOT DAY. THE PLT SAID THAT HE INADVERTENTLY LEVELED THE ACFT APRX 10 FT HIGH. HE SAID THE ACFT STALLED CAUSING A HARD LANDING. THE IMPACT CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5414C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5414C), registered now, S/N 19448, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B
- 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: 19448
- Airframe hours: 972
- Engines: FRANKLIN O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Terry R. Westphal
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 24, 1985
- Departed: KCA, KALISPEL, MT
- Airport: S27, Kalispell City, runway 13, 3,600 × 70 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 208 total, 149 in this make and model, 167 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F

## 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 19850720033149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850720033149A), Jul 20, 1985: Cessna 170B, Kalispell, MT, Substantial damage. Leveled off 10 feet above the ground. Stalled onto runway causing collapse of right landing gear.

## Other investigations on N5414C (2)

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 DEN89LA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA111), Apr 19, 1989: Cessna 170A (N5414C), Kalispell, MT, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LANDING FLARE AND ROLLOUT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF PROFICIENCY WITH ONLY 4 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME IN THE…
- [NTSB SEA78DTI03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78DTI03), Dec 18, 1977: Cessna 170 (N5414C), Browning, MT, 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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