# NTSB FTW96LA038: Cessna 170B, N3152A, Reklaw, TX, October 29, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 29, 1995, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Reklaw, TX
- Coordinates: 31.86078, -94.980628 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8608&lon=-94.9806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19704
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19704/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA038

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff
- Overrun, emergency landing after takeoff
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AS THE AIRPLANE WAS CLIMBING THROUGH 50 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND DURING TAKEOFF. THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND STRAIGHT AHEAD AND THE AIRPLANE OVERRAN THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY, IMPACTING BUSHES AND SHRUBS. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DID NOT REVEAL ANY ANOMALIES THAT COULD HAVE PREVENTED ENGINE OPERATION.

## Factual narrative

On October 29, 1995, at 1100 central standard time, a Cessna 170B, N3152A, collided with trees during a forced landing during takeoff near Reklaw, Texas.  The commercial pilot and his passenger sustained minor injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage.  The aircraft was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal local flight for which a flight plan was not filed.

According to the pilot, the engine lost power at approximately 50 feet above the ground during initial takeoff climb from the Flying M Ranch private airstrip.  The pilot elected to continue straight ahead and the airplane overran the end of the 3,500 foot grass airstrip impacting brushes and shrubs at the departure end of the runway.

An examination or the engine did not reveal any anomalies that could have prevented engine operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3152A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3152A-2012-09-27), registration cancelled 2012-09-27, S/N 25796, 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 C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25796
- Airframe hours: 3700
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joachim Bauer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 7, 1995, 28 hours before
- Departed: 7TA7
- Destination: F04, SAGINAW, TX
- Airport: 7TA7, Flying M Ranch, runway 36, 3,500 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 630 total, 250 in this make and model, 460 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 10 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TYL, 39 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 19951029048609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951029048609A), Oct 29, 1995: Cessna 170B, Reklaw, TX, Substantial damage. (-16) Engine lost power, cause under investigation.

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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