# NTSB DEN87LA179: Cessna 175, N9201B, Kalispell, MT, July 11, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 11, 1987, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Kalispell, MT
- Coordinates: 48.190193, -114.380966 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1902&lon=-114.3810&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17266
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA179
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17266/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA179

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,piston - disintegrated (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,normal brake system - inoperative
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - collapsed (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PVT PLT WAS ON A X-COUNTRY FLIGHT. THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH, MADE A 'BANG' SOUND AND LOST PARTIAL POWER. SMOKE ENTERED THE COCKPIT, OIL PRESSURE WAS LOST AND THE PLT INITIATED AN EMERGENCY LANDING. THE ACFT LDG GR STRUCK POWERLINES ON APPROACH TO A DIRT ROAD, APPARENTLY DAMAGING THE ACFT BRAKES. AFTER LANDING, THE ACFT BRAKES WERE INOPERATIVE. THE ACFT DEPARTED THE ROAD TO THE LEFT, WENT THROUGH A FENCE, AND STRUCK A ROCK. THE NOSE GEAR WAS SHEARED OFF AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER. A POST-ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER TWO PISTON HAD DISINTEGRATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9201B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9201B-2003-03-25), registration cancelled 2003-03-25, S/N 55001, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 175
- Registry model: [Cessna 175](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (registry code 2072502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 55001
- Airframe hours: 3520
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GO-300-A 175 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Walter Steinbrink
- Registered owner: Walter W Steinbrink
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1986
- Departed: CTB, CUT BANK, MT
- Destination: BKE, BAKER, OR
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 660 total, 450 in this make and model, 660 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19870711034379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870711034379A), Jul 11, 1987: Cessna 175, Kalispell, MT, Substantial damage. Rough engine power loss and smoke in cabin. Struck wires fences and nosed over landing. A piston had disintegrated.

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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