# NTSB LAX07CA207: Cessna 170, N9716A, Spanaway, WA, July 7, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 7, 2007, 10:04 local (17:04 UTC) - Place: Spanaway, WA - Coordinates: 47.070278, -122.371109 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0703&lon=-122.3711&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 30, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 66180 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA207 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66180/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA207 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted takeoff from a short and narrow runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - short runway/landing area (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - grass - Nose over, takeoff - aborted ## Analysis The airplane veered off the runway and nosed over in grassy terrain during an aborted takeoff. The pilot did not observe anything unusual with his airplane during his preflight inspection, and all systems appeared to be functioning normally during the engine run up. The pilot stated that he set the trim for takeoff, proceeded onto runway 34, added full engine power, and the airplane accelerated normally. When the airplane was about 1/3 of the way down the runway at the location where he expected to lift off the ground, the airplane was still on the runway. Therefore, he aborted the takeoff. The pilot said he retarded the throttle, applied brakes, and lost directional control of the airplane. The airport's runway is 1,800 feet long and 20 feet wide. ## Factual narrative On July 7, 2007, about 1004 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 170, N9716A, owned and operated by the pilot, nosed over after veering off runway 34 at the Shady Acres Airport, Spanaway, Washington. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private pilot and one of the two passengers received minor injuries. The second passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and it was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that nothing unusual was observed with his airplane during the preflight inspection. All systems appeared to be functioning normally during the engine run up. The pilot stated that he set the trim for takeoff, proceeded onto runway 34, added full engine power, and the airplane accelerated normally. When the airplane was about 1/3 of the way down the runway at the location where he expected to lift off the ground, the airplane was still on the runway. Therefore, he aborted the takeoff. The pilot stated that he retarded the throttle, applied brakes, and lost directional control of the airplane. The pilot additionally informed the Safety Board investigator that he erred by not maintaining directional control of his conventional gear airplane while decelerating. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway and entered a grassy area. The airport's runway is 1,800 feet long and 20 feet wide. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9716A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9716A-2012-11-26), registration cancelled 2012-11-26, S/N 19177, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 170 - Registry model: [Cessna 170](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170) (registry code 2072302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 19177 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Leroy E. Harrington - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 3B8 - Destination: 3B8 - Airport: 3B8, Shady Acres, runway 34, 1,800 × 20 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 1,093 total, 1,027 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °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 20070707019369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070707019369A), Jul 7, 2007: Cessna 170, Spanaway, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot failed to maintain control of N9716A after and aborted takeoff and veered off runway where the aircraft flipped over. ## Other investigations on N9716A (2) 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 LAX69D0039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX69D0039), Jun 30, 1968: Cessna 170 (N9716A), Hesperia, CA, substantial damage - [NTSB OAK67D0197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK67D0197), Jan 7, 1967: Cessna 170A (N9716A), Sacramento, CA, 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. --- 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.