# NTSB GAA17CA468: Cessna 170, N1214D, Moab, UT, August 4, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 3, 2017, 19:50 local (Aug 4, 2017, 01:50 UTC) - Place: Moab, UT - Coordinates: 38.729721, -109.751945 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7297&lon=-109.7519&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 14, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95748 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA468 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95748/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95748 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA468 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper decision to depart in unfavorable weather conditions, which resulted in a hard, forced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: sudden wind shift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md) - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he and his passenger were waiting in the fixed-base operator building for the storm system to pass. When the storm system appeared to have passed and the wind had calmed significantly, the pilot checked the Automated Surface Observing System and took off from runway 21. During the initial climb, the pilot observed "just beyond the end of the pavement was the obvious sign of a small microburst developing with blowing dust curling up in several different directions centered just to the right of the centerline, and it was growing spreading out quickly." The pilot was able to climb the airplane to about 400 ft before encountering wind at the departure end of the runway. He made a slight left turn to avoid power lines and performed a forced landing. The airplane landed hard and sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and empennage. The Special METAR reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 280° at 23 knots, gusting to 34 knots. The visibility was 10 statute miles with light rain. There were few clouds at 3,500 ft, and the ceiling was broken at 9,000 ft and 11,000 ft. The temperature was 84°F, and the dew point was 45°F. The altimeter setting was 30.06 inches of mercury. The peak wind was from 10° at 40 knots at 1903, and the wind shifted direction at 1910. The rain began at 1958 with trace precipitation. The density altitude was 7,164 ft. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he and his passenger were waiting in the fixed-base operator building for the storm system to pass. When the storm system appeared to have passed and the wind had calmed significantly, the pilot checked the Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) and took off on runway 21. During the initial climb, the pilot observed "Just beyond the end of the pavement was the obvious sign of a small microburst developing with blowing dust curling up in several different directions centered just to the right of the centerline, and it was growing spreading out quickly". The pilot was able to climb about 400ft before encountering the wind at the departure end of the runway. He made a slight left turn to avoid powerlines and performed a forced landing. The airplane landed hard and sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage and the empennage. The Special METAR, reported that about the time of the accident the wind was from 280° at 23 knots gusting to 34 knots. The visibility was10 statute miles with light rain. There were few clouds at 3,500 feet and the ceiling was broken at 9,000 feet and 11,000 feet. The temperature was 84°F and the dew point was 45°F. The altimeter setting was 30.06 inches of mercury. The peak wind was from 10° at 40 knots at 1903 MDT and the wind shifted direction at 1910 MDT. The rain began at 1958 MDT with trace precipitation. The density altitude was 7,164ft. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1214D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1214D-2019-11-18), registration cancelled 2019-11-18, S/N 19768, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 170 (A) - 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: 19768 - Year built: 1950 - Airframe hours: 3309 - Engines: Continental O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 13, 2016 - Departed: CNY, Moab, UT - Destination: U69, DUCHESNE, UT - Airport: CNY, Canyonlands Field, runway 21, 7,100 × 75 ft - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: minor; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 13, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 12,169 total, 633 in this make and model, 7,968 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 280° at 23 knots, gusting 34 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KCNY, 1 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 20170803010289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170803010289A), Aug 3, 2017: Cessna 170A, Moab, UT, Substantial damage. Pilot and wife departed cny airport at 1945. Pilot had been watching changing weather and had delayed takeoff for 30-45 minutes to avoid transitioning storms.… ## Other investigations on N1214D (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 CHI69D0170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI69D0170), Aug 13, 1968: Cessna 170A (N1214D), Decker, IN, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 30, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95748. 5.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459652&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement and Recommendations (item 2, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459653&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement%20and%20Recommendations-Master.PDF - Density Altitude (item 3, .PDF, 109 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459654&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Density%20Altitude-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of Pilot) (item 4, .PDF, 3 photos, 289 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40459655&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20Pilot)-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.