# NTSB FTW85LA201: Cessna 170B, N170NX, Ama, LA, April 28, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 28, 1985, 15:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Ama, LA
- Coordinates: 29.940496, -90.299064 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9405&lon=-90.2991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21736
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA201
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21736/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA201

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - flt control syst,elevator control - jammed (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT REPORTEDLY ASSUMED AN ABRUPT NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE DURING ITS INITIAL CLIMB FOLLOWING TAKEOFF. THE PILOT STATED HE MADE THE INITIAL LEFT DEPARTURE TURN FROM THE AIRPORT AND THEN REALIZED HE COULD NOT RELEASE THE ELEVATOR BACK PRESSURE HE HAD USED DURING THE TURN. THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND ENTERED A SPIN. THE PLT REDUCED POWER AND EXTENDED THE FLAPS AND AT THAT TIME REGAINED ELEVATOR CONTROL. HE PLACED THE ACFT INTO A NOSE UP ATTITUDE BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE DESCENT BEFORE GROUND IMPACT OCCURRED. THE ACFT HAS NOT BEEN EXAMINED TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE REPORTED ELEVATOR CNTL PROBLEM SINCE IT IMPACTED IN A SWAMP AND WAS DESTROYED. TO DATE, 3-4-86, THE WRECKAGE HAS NOT BEEN RECOVERED AND PROBABLY WILL NOT BE RECOVERED. A CRAWFISH BROIL WAS IN PROGRESS AT THE APRT FROM WHICH THE ACFT HAD JUST DEPARTED. CRAWFISH AND BEER WAS BEING SERVED. THE PLT HAD BEEN AT THE ARPT ABOUT AN HR,HOWEVER, HE STATED HE DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE FESTIVITIES. NO TOXICOLOGY EXAMINATION OF THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N170NX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N170NX-2012-07-24), registration cancelled 2012-07-24, S/N 26337, 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: 26337
- Airframe hours: 1720
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Scott Flying Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, April 24, 1984
- Destination: NEW, NEW ORLEANS, LA
- Airport: LA63, Sellers Fld

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,840 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19850428016149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850428016149A), Apr 28, 1985: Cessna 170B, Ama, LA, Destroyed. Departed airport with party in progress. Aerobatic maneuver made without room to recover. Impacted swamp.

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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