# NTSB FTW88LA062: Cessna 170B, N3180B, Crowley, TX, February 14, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 14, 1988, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Crowley, TX
- Coordinates: 32.569541, -97.3498 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5695&lon=-97.3498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22614
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88LA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22614/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA062

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system - contamination (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ENGINE STOPPED AS A RESULT OF FUEL STARVATION, DUE TO A LARGE AMOUNT OF CONTAMINATION THROUGHOUT THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE SOURCE OF THE CONTAMINATION AND THE LENGTH OF TIME IT HAD BEEN IN THE SYSTEM WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE PILOT WAS NOT IN GLIDING DISTANCE OF AN AIRPORT AND MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A FARM FIELD. THE PLT DID NOT FILE AN ACCIDENT REPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3180B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3180B-2014-10-29), registration cancelled 2014-10-29, S/N 25422 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B
- Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25422
- Airframe hours: 2069
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gene Ratliff
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 29, 1987, 27 hours before
- Departed: WEA, WEATHERFORD, TX
- Destination: F72, FT. WORTH, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 2,650 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTW, 20 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 19880214002419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880214002419A), Feb 14, 1988: Cessna STC170, Crowley, TX, Substantial damage. Engine failed at altitude. Forced landing in a field. Fuel contaminated. Type of damage is not stated.

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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