# NTSB DEN89LA116: Cessna 170B, N3475D, Deming, NM, May 5, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1989, 06:15 local (12:15 UTC)
- Place: Deming, NM
- Location: 32.2631° N, 107.7525° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Deming, NM, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2631&lon=-107.7525&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17706
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17706/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA116

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN. THE LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF AIRCRAFT IS CONSIDERED TO BE A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PLT WAS TAKING OFF TO THE WEST, AT HIS FARM STRIP, A 4,000 X 80 FOOT DIRT STRIP, WITH CALM WINDS. HE STATED THAT HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND THE ACFT STRUCK A FURROW ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STRIP. THE ACFT BOUNCED INTO THE AIR, BUT ACCORDING TO THE PLT, DID NOT HAVE FLYING SPEED. THE PLT SAID THERE WERE TREES DIRECTLY IN THE FLIGHT PATH, SO HE ATTEMPTED A SHALLOW LEFT TURN. THE PLT STATED THAT DURING THE TURN, THE LEFT WING STRUCK MORE FURROWS AND THE ACFT CARTWHEELED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3475D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3475D-1992-02-20), registration cancelled 1992-02-20, S/N 27018 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B
- Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27018
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert S. Irvin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 11, 1989, 11 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: 5T6, SANTA TERESA, NM
- Airport: NONE, runway 27, 4,000 × 80 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 369 total, 11 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19890505010949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890505010949A), May 5, 1989: Cessna 170B, Deming, NM, Substantial damage. Lost control on takeoff roll. Struck furrow on edge of strip. Bounced into air. Wing hit more furrows. Cartwheeled

## Other investigations on N3475D (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 DEN85LA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA156), Jun 15, 1985: Cessna 170B (N3475D), Englewood, CO, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN65D0089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN65D0089), May 9, 1965: Cessna 170 (N3475D), Douglas, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.