# NTSB IAD03LA047: Cessna 170B, N118F, Randolph, NY, April 19, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 19, 2003, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Randolph, NY - Coordinates: 42.150276, -79.001388 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1503&lon=-79.0014&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 56854 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD03LA047 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56854/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD03LA047 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain/maintain proper runway alignment. A factor in the accident was the sun glare. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - proper alignment - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor) - Nose over, takeoff - aborted ## Analysis According to the pilot, prior to the takeoff attempt, the glare from the setting sun obscured his view, and he aligned the airplane "too far south of the centerline." During the takeoff roll, the airplane struck a tree which bordered the east-west runway's southern edge. The pilot applied the brakes, and the airplane nosed over. No mechanical anomalies were observed with the airplane, and winds, at an airport 17 miles to the east, were from the south at 7 knots. ## Factual narrative On April 19, 2003, at 1900 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 170B, N118F, was substantially damaged when it impacted a tree during an attempted takeoff at Randolph Airport (D85), Randolph, New York. The certificated private pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a telephone interview, the pilot stated that he was attempting to take off to the west, with the intention of flight in the local traffic pattern. He stated that the setting sun obscured his vision during the takeoff, and approximately 400 feet into the takeoff roll, the airplane's left wing clipped a tree. The airplane then swerved to the left, the pilot applied the brakes, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane, and noted that he was aligned "too far south of the centerline" during the takeoff. The pilot described the runway as a 100-foot-wide by 2,400-foot-long turf strip aligned along an east-west heading, with trees that bordered the runway's south side, effectively narrowing the runway to 90 feet in some places. Weather conditions reported at Jamestown, 17 miles east of the accident site, at 1855, included winds from 170 degrees true at 7 knots and clear skies. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage to the left wing spar. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N118F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N118F), registered now, S/N 25329, built 1952 (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: 25329 - Airframe hours: 2939.6 - Engines: Continental C-145 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 16, 2002, 11.7 hours before - Departed: D85, Randolph, NY - Airport: D85, Randolph Airport, runway 270, 2,400 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 24, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 1,269 total, 146 in this make and model, 1,102 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 170° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KJHW, 12 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 20030419017429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030419017429A), Apr 19, 2003: Cessna 170B, Randolph, NY, Substantial damage. (-23) The aircraft hit a tree as it was traveling down the left side of the runway for take off. The pilot shut the aircraft down and applied brakes stiffly… 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.