# NTSB ERA17CA087: Cessna 170, N1387D, Hayden, AL, January 12, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 12, 2017, 14:50 local (20:50 UTC) - Place: Hayden, AL - Coordinates: 33.846942, -86.898887 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8469&lon=-86.8989&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report September 7, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 94601 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA17CA087 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94601/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94601 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17CA087 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees during the approach. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) - [Approach: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) ## Analysis The airplane was on the final approach leg of the traffic pattern to the turf runway. The private pilot recalled that the airplane was 800 ft above ground level (agl) and aligned with the runway, but he had no further recollection of the flight. A witness observed the airplane flying "low and slow" about 20 ft agl when the nose pitched upward, the airplane "stalled," and the left wing struck the ground. The airport owner stated that the trees at the approach end of the runway were damaged, and broken branches were found scattered at the base of the trees immediately after the accident. The fuselage and wings sustained substantial damage consistent with collision with trees and terrain. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The airplane was on the final approach leg of the traffic pattern to the turf runway. The private pilot recalled that the airplane was at an altitude of 800 ft above ground level and aligned with the runway, but he had no further recollection of the flight. A witness observed the airplane flying "low and slow" about 20 feet above the ground when the nose pitched upward, the airplane "stalled," and the left wing struck the ground. The owner of the airport stated that the trees at the approach end of the runway were damaged, and broken branches were found scattered at the base of the trees immediately after the accident. The fuselage and wings sustained substantial damage consistent with collision with trees and terrain. The pilot stated there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane during the flight that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1387D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1387D-2018-03-20), registration cancelled 2018-03-20, S/N 19963, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 170 (A) - 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: 19963 - Year built: 1951 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C145 SERIES 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Hayden, AL - Destination: Hayden, AL - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 87; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 2,100 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: KBHM, 19 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 20170112006239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170112006239A), Jan 12, 2017: Cessna 170A, Hayden, AL, Destroyed. The pilot stated that his last memory was that the aircraft was aligned from the north with the runway at 800 feet AGL on short. A witness heard a loud impact… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 21, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94601. 1.0 MB in all. - Witness Statements (item 1, .PDF, 82 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455490&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 2, .PDF, 3 photos, 933 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455485&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.