# NTSB FTW91FA142: Cessna 170A, N9582A, Heath, TX, August 7, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 7, 1991, 17:49 local (22:49 UTC)
- Place: Heath, TX
- Coordinates: 32.9197, -96.450065 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9197&lon=-96.4501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23273
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91FA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23273/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91FA142

## Probable cause

THE INADVERTENT STALL FOLLOWING AN ABRUPT PULL UP WHILE MANEUVERING AT LOW ALTITUDE, AND THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT DUE TO TO ALCOHOL AND DRUG CONSUMPTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, maneuvering
  - pull-up - initiated, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A PRIVATE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER WERE ON A LOCAL LOW LEVEL FLIGHT. THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED FLYING SOUTHBOUND, PARALLEL TO HIGH TENSION POWER LINES, AT AN ALTITUDE ESTIMATED TO BE 200 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL. THE AIRCRAFT WAS THEN SEEN TURNING EASTBOUND TOWARDS THE POWERLINES. AS THE AIRCRAFT APPROACHED THE WIRES, THE NOSE WAS ABRUPTLY PULLED UP AND THE AIRPLANE ROLLED TO THE LEFT AND THE NOSE PITCHED DOWN. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND WITH THE WINGS LEVEL IN AN ALMOST VERTICAL ATTITUDE. A POST-IMPACT FIRE ENGULFED THE AIRPLANE WITHIN SECONDS AFTER IMPACT. THE TOXICOLOGY REPORT ON THE PILOT REVEALED A LEVEL OF 0.10% ETHANOL IN THE BLOOD, 0.09% IN THE VITREOUS FLUID, 0.14% IN THE URINE, 0.07% IN THE BILE, AND 0.05 MG/L DIPHENHYDRAMINE (BENADRYL) IN HIS SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9582A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9582A-2014-11-24), registration cancelled 2014-11-24, S/N 19143, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170A
- 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: 19143
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gary L. Jendruck
- Registered owner: Gary L. Jendruck
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: F26, ROCKWALL, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 274 total, 273 in this make and model, 233 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19910807032559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910807032559A), Aug 7, 1991: Cessna 170A, Heath, TX, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Observed flying low. Pulled up to avoid powerline and stalled. Alcohol and drug in pilots system were factors.

## Other investigations on N9582A (1)

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 CHI70FGG17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI70FGG17), Apr 29, 1970: Cessna 170A (N9582A), Marysville, OH, substantial damage

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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