# NTSB LAX81FA080: Cessna 170B, N2318D, Steamboat, NV, April 30, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: April 30, 1981
- Place: Steamboat, NV · STEAMBOAT, NV
- Location: 39.3771° N, 119.7438° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Steamboat, NV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3771&lon=-119.7438&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 17, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 126015
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81FA080
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FA080

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1007  81/4/30  NR.STEAMBOAT,NV       CESSNA 170B         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 44, 500
        TIME - 1630                    N2318D              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MINDEN,NV                   MARYSVILLE,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - DOWNDRAFT,UPDRAFTS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, IN PERSON
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          SCATTERED                                                 30000
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      88
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          260                                                       14
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- PLTS GLIDER INSTRTR STATED LEE SIDE DOWNDRAFT 5-700FPM ON E SIDE MTNS DVLPED BFR FLT BACK.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2318D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2318D-1982-08-30), registration cancelled 1982-08-30, S/N 20470 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B
- Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19810430020719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810430020719A), Apr 30, 1981: Cessna 170B, Steamboat, NV, Destroyed. Struck trees just below ridge line in mountainous terrain. Downdrafts in area. Alcohol in pilot's system.

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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