# NTSB DEN99LA087: Cessna 170B, N2716C, Ogden, UT, May 27, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 27, 1999, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Ogden, UT - Coordinates: 41.149227, -111.979515 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1492&lon=-111.9795&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 25, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46414 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA087 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46414/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA087 ## Probable cause The pilot's misjudgment of altitude during an intentional (practice) low altitude flight maneuver (landing approach). ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - low altitude flight/maneuver - intentional, pilot in command - altitude/clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot was practicing approaches to an unimproved airstrip on Fremont Island in the Great Salt Lake, about 20 miles west of Ogden, Utah. He said one of the main wheels inadvertently touched down in the soft sand, causing him to lose control. During his attempt to recover, the propeller either struck a rock or the ground. The pilot said the airplane lost flying speed, and subsequently collided with water. It submerged about 50 yards offshore. ## Factual narrative On May 27, 1999, approximately 1100 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 170B, N2716C, was destroyed when it collided with terrain and water while maneuvering near Ogden, Utah. The private pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from Salt Lake City, Utah, approximately 0900. According to the pilot's accident report, he was practicing approaches to an unimproved airstrip on Fremont Island in the Great Salt Lake, about 20 miles west of Ogden, Utah. He wrote, "One of the main wheels inadvertently touched down [in the sand], causing loss of control. During attempted recovery, propeller struck rock and/or ground, resulting in inability to obtain flying speed." The airplane subsequently collided with water and submerged about 50 yards offshore. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2716C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2716C-2017-04-07), registration cancelled 2017-04-07, S/N 26260, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 170B - Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 26260 - Airframe hours: 2300 - Engines: Continental C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jim E. Sabodski - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 11, 1998, 16 hours before - Departed: SLC, SALT LAKE CITY, UT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,200 total, 15 in this make and model, 2,200 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SLC ## 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 19990527044379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990527044379A), May 27, 1999: Cessna 170B, Ogden, UT, No damage. (-23) Pilot was conducting low level ground reference manuevers and flew a/c into water. Pilot left the scene of the accident and did not report to NTSB until… ## Other investigations on N2716C (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 MKC74DTK07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC74DTK07), Jan 16, 1974: Cessna 170B (N2716C), Cedar Butte, SD, 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.