# NTSB ERA14LA146: Cessna 170B, N211R, Mulberry, FL, March 8, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 8, 2014, 11:04 local (16:04 UTC) - Place: Mulberry, FL - Coordinates: 27.929445, -82.040275 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9294&lon=-82.0403&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor; on the ground: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 88888 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14LA146 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88888/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88888 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA146 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot and the parachutist to see and avoid each other, which resulted in the airplane’s wing colliding with the parachute’s suspension lines. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of policy/procedure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 191 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of policy/procedure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032): Personnel issues › Task performance · Other; cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 191 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Other (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane was on final approach for runway 32 about 15 feet above the ground when he observed a parachutist "drop down in front of" him. He maneuvered to avoid the parachutist; however, the airplane's right wing collided with the parachute's suspension lines. The airplane crashed nose-first into the ground, and the parachutist was thrown to the ground. The parachutist reported that he was maneuvering to land at the drop zone and was crossing the approach end of runway 32 about 75 feet above the ground when he first observed the airplane "coming at" him. The pilot was a resident of the fly-in community, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport/Facility Directory noted that parachuting operations were conducted in the vicinity of the airport. Although the airplane had been established in the traffic pattern and the parachutist had the opportunity to observe aircraft operations as he descended, it is apparent that the pilot and the parachutist were unaware of each other's presence until just before the collision. FAA Advisory Circular 90-66A, paragraph 9e, states, "Pilots and parachutists should both be aware of the limited flight performance of parachutes and take steps to avoid any potential conflicts between aircraft and parachute operations." Thus, both the pilot and the parachutist were responsible for being aware of each other's presence and avoiding each other. ## Factual narrative On March 8, 2014, about 1104 eastern standard time (EST), a Cessna 170B, N211R, collided with the ground following an in-flight collision with a parachutist and parachute at South Lakeland Airport (X49), Mulberry, Florida. The private pilot and the parachutist received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 as a personal flight. Day, visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The local flight originated about 1045. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot was in the local traffic pattern and was performing a full stop landing. While on short final, the airplane struck the lines of the parachute as the parachutist was descending. The airplane pitched up, then down and impacted the turf runway in a nose down attitude. There was no fire. The pilot and the parachutist were taken to a local hospital for treatment of their injuries. The pilot of the airplane that struck the parachutist reported the following. He was on final approach for runway 32 and was about 15 feet above the ground when "a parachutist dropped down in front of me and was a going to land in the center of the approach end of the runway." He immediately climbed to avoid the parachutist and the parachute rigging caught his wing. He crashed nose first into the ground. The parachutist reported that he was part of a group of parachutists jumping on the day of the accident. It was a "normal day" and after preparing his gear, the flight departed X49 and climbed to jump altitude. He was about the middle of a group of 5 to 7 parachutists jumping from the airplane. After deploying his parachute, he maneuvered to parallel the runway. He was watching for another parachutist at about the same altitude. He initiated a left turn on approach to eventually land into the wind. Winds were light at 3 to 5 knots. His approach path crossed the approach end of runway 32. Suddenly he observed the airplane "coming at me." He was about 75 feet AGL when he first observed the airplane. The airplane's wing contacted his parachute and he landed and the airplane crashed. Two witnesses reported that the parachutist's glide path crossed the approach end of runway 32. One of these witnesses reported that the right wing caught the parachute's suspension lines, causing the airplane to crash and the parachutist to be thrown to the ground. The airplane crashed in a nose-first attitude. Also, one witness reported that the pilot was performing his third touch-and-go landing of the flight. The pilot, age 87, did not possess a current FAA medical certificate. His most recent medical certificate was a third class certificate issued on February 8, 2010. He also could not provide evidence of a current flight review as required by 14 CFR Part 61.56. He was a resident of the fly-in community where the accident occurred. FAA Advisory Circular (AC)90-66A, paragraph 9e, addresses the subject of parachute operations at airports without operating control towers: "When a drop zone has been established on an airport, parachutists are expected to land within the drop zone. At airports that have not established drop zones, parachutists should avoid landing on runways, taxiways, aprons, and their associated safety areas. Pilots and parachutists should both be aware of the limited flight performance of parachutes and take steps to avoid any potential conflicts between aircraft and parachute operations." 14 CFR Part 105 addresses parachute operations. Section 105.5 (General), states: "No person may conduct a parachute operation, and no pilot in command of an aircraft may allow a parachute operation to be conducted from an aircraft, if that operation creates a hazard to air traffic or to persons or property on the surface. The FAA Airport/Facility Directory, current at the time of the accident, noted under airport remarks, "Parachute jumping and ultralight activity invof arpt." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N211R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N211R-2016-01-20), registration cancelled 2016-01-20, S/N 20672, built 1952 (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: 20672 - Year built: 1952 - Airframe hours: 3286 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C145 SERIES 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Trembley Sharon L - Registered owner: Trembley Sharon L - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 9, 2013 - Departed: X49, Mulberry, FL - Destination: X49, Mulberry, FL - Airport: X49, South Lakeland, runway 32, 3,115 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 87; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 4,600 total, 3,300 in this make and model, 4,600 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 3 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: LAL, 2 nm away ## 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 20140308024439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140308024439A), Mar 8, 2014: Cessna 170B, Lakeland, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot departed runway 32 at X49 behind the local skydive aircraft for two touch and go?s and a fullstop landing. The skydive aircraft climbed to 12000 feet and… ## Other investigations on N211R (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 SEA97LA160](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA160), Jul 6, 1997: Cessna 170B (N211R), Jackson, WY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Gusting wind conditions was a factor. - [NTSB MIA68D0231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA68D0231), Sep 9, 1967: Cessna 170B (N211R), Naples, FL, substantial damage ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 5, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88888. 4.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 792 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418515&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Frost (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418516&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Frost-Master.PDF - Polk County Florida Sheriff's Office Report (item 3, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418517&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Polk%20County%20Florida%20Sheriff%27s%20Office%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Airport/Facility Directory - Excerpt (item 4, .PDF, 77 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418518&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airport%2FFacility%20Directory%20-%20Excerpt-Master.PDF - FAA Advisory Circular 90-66A (item 5, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418519&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Advisory%20Circular%2090-66A-Master.PDF - 49 CFR Part 105 (item 6, .PDF, 225 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418520&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=49%20CFR%20Part%20105-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Forward Fuselage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 311 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418521&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Forward%20Fuselage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Main Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 309 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418522&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Main%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.