# NTSB DEN90LA136: Cessna 170A, N9086A, Salina, UT, June 18, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 17, 1990, 20:15 local (Jun 18, 1990, 02:15 UTC)
- Place: Salina, UT
- Coordinates: 38.94976, -111.829887 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9498&lon=-111.8299&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17952
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA136
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17952/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA136

## Probable cause

POWER LOSS AS A RESULT OF WATER CONTAMINATED FUEL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION BY THE PILOT, AND ROUGH TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED DURING THE GROUND RUN, FOLLOWING THE FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - single engine aircraft
  - fuel system - contamination (cause)
  - fluid,water - not removed (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Overrun, landing - roll
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - collapsed

## Analysis

DURING INITIAL CLIMB AT 100 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL, THE ENIGNE LOST POWER DUE TO CONTAMINATED FUEL. THE AIRPLANE LANDED STRAIGHT AHEAD ON THE REMAINING RUNWAY, OVER RAN THE RUNWAY, AND STRUCK THE ROUGH UNEVEN TERRAIN BEYOND THE RUNWAY. THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR WAS TORN OFF AND THE LEFT WING WAS DAMAGED IN THE COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN. DURING A POSTACCIDENT INSPECTION, MORE THAN A PINT OF WATER WAS DRAINED FROM THE GASCOLATOR AND FUEL TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9086A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9086A), registered now, S/N 18845, 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: 18845
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rulon L. Miller
- Departed: 44U
- Destination: 44U
- Airport: 44U, Salina-Gunnison, runway 2, 3,815 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,600 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 1,600 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900617021279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900617021279A), Jun 17, 1990: Cessna 170A, Salina, UT, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff. Force landed on remaining runway but ran off end. Water in fuel. Had set out lengthy period

## Other investigations on N9086A (1)

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 DEN65F0024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN65F0024), Mar 14, 1965: Cessna 170A (N9086A), Huntington, 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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