# NTSB DEN87LA158: Cessna 170B, N2398D, Monument Valley, UT, June 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1987, 07:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Monument Valley, UT
- Coordinates: 37.080375, -110.24932 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0804&lon=-110.2493&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17251
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17251/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA158

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,takeoff capability - exceeded (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE PLT LANDED TO TAKE PICTURES IN MONUMENT VALLEY OFF DESIGNATED ARPT. ON TAKEOFF THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ACFT COULD NOT MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE AND THAT HE HAD TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING. THE PLT DID NOT REPORT ANY MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2398D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2398D), registered now, S/N 20550, 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: 20550
- Airframe hours: 2774
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C145 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mae M. Henkelmann
- Registered owner: Henkelman, Mae M
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 28, 1987, 32 hours before
- Departed: OV7, KEYENTA, AZ
- Destination: BDG, BLANDING, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,040 total, 701 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °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 19870616028359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870616028359A), Jun 16, 1987: Cessna 170B, Monument Valley, UT, Substantial damage. Unable to sustain altitude after takeoff from desert. Crash landed. Had landed off airport to take pictures.

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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