# NTSB DEN89LA111: Cessna 170A, N5414C, Kalispell, MT, April 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 19, 1989, 06:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Kalispell, MT
- Coordinates: 46.489978, -113.260322 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4900&lon=-113.2603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17701
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17701/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA111

## 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 PRECEDING 90 DAY PERIOD.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED, 'DURING THE LANDING PHASE THE AIRPLANE STARTED TO ACT LIKE IT WAS IN TURBULENCE. ON CONTACT WITH THE GROUND, I COULDN'T KEEP IT GOING STRAIGHT...'. THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED AND NOSED OVER. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE BRAKES AND RELATED SYSTEM REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. THE WIND AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS LIGHT AND VARIABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5414C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5414C), registered now, S/N 19448, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170A
- 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
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Westphal, Terry R.
- Registered owner: Westphal, T. R./Lavalley, W.R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Departed: FCA
- Destination: FCA
- Airport: FCA, Glacier Park Int'L, runway 19, 8,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 240 total, 175 in this make and model, 175 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19890419009369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890419009369A), Apr 19, 1989: Cessna 170A, Kalispell, MT, Substantial damage. Began to zig zag on landing roll. Nosed over trying to recover control. Apparently hit brakes during the struggle.

## 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 DEN85LA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA194), Jul 21, 1985: Cessna 170B (N5414C), Kalispell, MT, substantial damage
- [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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