# NTSB FTW84LA397: Cessna 170B, N4653C, Flatonia, TX, September 15, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1984, 17:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Flatonia, TX
- Coordinates: 29.680965, -97.099014 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6810&lon=-97.0990&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21469
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA397
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21469/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA397

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED HE APPLIED FULL POWER TO THE ENG AS HE STARTED HIS TAKEOFF RUN ON RWY 15. HE APPLIED FORWARD PRESSURE ON THE CONTROL YOKE TO RAISE THE TAIL AND THE ACFT STARTED TO DRIFT LEFT. THE RT WING HIT A TREE AND THE ACFT CONTINUED INTO A LAKE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4653C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4653C-2013-09-16), registration cancelled 2013-09-16, S/N 25597, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B
- Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25597
- Airframe hours: 3356
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ross L. Coleman Jr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 29, 1984
- Destination: 3TA1, MANVEL, TX
- Airport: 29R, Flationia Municipal, runway 15, 1,830 × 25 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 210 total, 70 in this make and model, 153 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19840915048559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840915048559A), Sep 15, 1984: Cessna 170B, Flatonia, TX, Substantial damage. Lost directional control after raising tail. Aircraft veered off side of runway,struck tree and went into lake.

## Other investigations on N4653C (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 SEA00LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA058), Mar 28, 2000: Cessna 170B (N4653C), Lopez Island, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during landing. Contributing factors were the crosswind condition, gusts, and the pilot's overall lack of total (flight and tail wheel) experience.
- [NTSB SEA91LA222](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA222), Aug 26, 1991: Cessna 170B (N4653C), Heber City, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING GROUND ROLL. A FACTOR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE CROSSWIND WEATHER CONDITIONS.

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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