# NTSB GAA19CA126: Cessna 170, N4087V, Selah, WA, January 27, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 27, 2019, 15:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Selah, WA - Coordinates: 46.445835, -120.363891 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4458&lon=-120.3639&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98943 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA126 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98943/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98943 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA126 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to use carburetor heat while operating in conditions conducive to carburetor icing, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power and a subsequent forced landing and impact with a fence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) - [Ice/rain protection system: intake anti-ice, deice](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023020): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023020/cases.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 170, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 170, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 170, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 170, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while doing pattern work and during his third approach, he turned to the base leg of the traffic pattern, and the engine lost power. He turned the fuel selector to "both," but he was unable to restart the engine. The airplane was equipped with an auxiliary fuel pump, which he did not turn on. Realizing the airplane would not reach the runway, the pilot chose to conduct a forced landing to a field, and during the landing roll, the airplane collided with a fence. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. After the collision, the pilot visually checked both fuel tanks, and each tank contained "ample fuel." He believed that the engine lost power due to carburetor ice because he did not apply carburetor heat during the approach. The pilot reported that, about the time of the accident, the temperature was 38°F and the dew point was 30°F. Additionally, he recalled that the cloud condition was broken at 3,000 ft. The atmospheric conditions were conducive for moderate carburetor icing at cruise power. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented if he turned on the fuel pump during the takeoffs and landings and if he had turned on the carburetor heat on the downwind before landing. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while doing pattern work, during his third approach, he turned base and the engine lost power. He turned the fuel selector to "Both", but he was unable to restart the engine. The airplane was equipped with an auxiliary fuel pump, which he did not turn on. Unable to reach the runway, the pilot selected a field to complete the forced landing, and during the landing roll, the airplane collided with a fence. After the collision, the pilot visually checked both fuel tanks, and each tank contained "ample fuel." He believed that the engine lost power due to carburetor ice, because he did not apply carburetor heat during the approach. The pilot reported that about the time of the accident, the temperature was 38° F and the dew point was 30° F. Additionally, he recalled that the cloud condition was broken at 3,000ft. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. According to the FAA Carburetor Icing Chart, a moderate chance of carburetor ice accumulation existed at cruise power. Light icing accumulation over a prolonged period may become serious, according to FAA Winter Flying Tips. According to the manufacturer's pilot operating handbook, the fuel pump is to be "On" during takeoff and landings. Additionally, the pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented by turning on the fuel pump during takeoffs and landings, and by turning on the carburetor heat on the downwind before landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4087V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4087V), registered now, S/N 18419, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 170 (Undesignat) - Registry model: [Cessna 170](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170) (registry code 2072302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18419 - Year built: 1948 - Engines: Continental C145 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James C. Bell, doing business as Bell and Upton Land Surveying - Registered owner: Yakima 65 N Flying Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 10, 2018 - Departed: YKM, Yakima, WA - Destination: PVT, Selah, WA - Airport: PVT, Private Airstrip, runway 09, 1,800 × 40 ft, dirt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 10, 2018; seat: left; flight hours: 1,970 total, 390 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.60 inHg - Observed at: KYKM, 3 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 20190127000389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190127000389A), Jan 27, 2019: Cessna 170, Yakima, WA, Substantial damage. Engine lost power near ykm airport and landed off-field. Pilot had neglected to engage the boost pump after switching tanks, which he believes caused the power… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 26, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98943. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473711&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 221 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473712&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.