# NTSB DEN90LA064: Cessna 170A, N9130A, Gallup, NM, February 23, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 23, 1990, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Gallup, NM
- Location: 35.5138° N, 108.7437° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Gallup, NM, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5138&lon=-108.7437&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 September 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17896
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17896/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA064

## Probable cause

IMPROPER OPERATION OF THE ENGINE DURING PREFLIGHT PREPARATION, WHICH RESULTED IN OVERHEATING OF THE ENGINE AND DAMAGE TO INTERNAL COMPONENTS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,cylinder - overtemperature (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT HIT A DITCH DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER THE ENGINE SEIZED DURING INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF. THIS WAS THE FIRST FLIGHT ON A NEWLY REBUILT ENGINE. THE ENGINE HAD BEEN RUN IN ON THE GROUND AND THE PILOT MADE THREE FULL POWER, STATIC RUNS BEFORE TAKEOFF. AN FAA INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE ENGINE AFTER THE ACCIDENT. HE SAID THE SPARK PLUGS FROM CYLINDERS NUMBER 1, 3, & 5 SHOWED EVIDENCE OF HAVING RUN WITH A LEAN MIXTURE. THE NUMBER 3 & 5 CYLINDERS WERE SCUFFED AND METAL FROM THE PISTONS HAD TRANSFERRED TO THE CYLINDER WALLS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9130A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9130A), registered now, S/N 18889, built 1949 (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: 18889
- Airframe hours: 4475
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Frank D. Scott
- Registered owner: Frank Scott
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 23, 1990
- Departed: GUP
- Destination: GUP
- Airport: GUP, Gallup, runway 6, 6,300 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 18,000 total, 400 in this make and model, 17,000 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 14 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GUP

## 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 19900223002789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900223002789A), Feb 23, 1990: Cessna 170A, Gallup, NM, Substantial damage. Rebuilt engine failed on takeoff climb on first test hop. 2 cylinders showed scuffing of cylinder walls and flaking

## Other investigations on N9130A (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 DEN77DQA50](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN77DQA50), Aug 20, 1977: Cessna 170 (N9130A), Gallup, NM, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN66F0339](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN66F0339), May 14, 1966: Cessna 170 (N9130A), Oljato, UT, 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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