# NTSB LAX83LA252: Cessna 170B, N8018A, Yreka, CA, May 27, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1983, 10:05 local (17:05 UTC)
- Place: Yreka, CA
- Coordinates: 41.749691, -122.669151 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7497&lon=-122.6692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23728
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA252
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23728/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA252

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - lowering of flaps - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, other
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT LANDED AT THE MONTAGUE ARPT FOR FUEL, BUT FUEL WAS NOT AVAILABLE, SO HE PROCEEDED TO ROHRER FIELD WHERE 18 GAL WAS ONLOADED. DURING TAKEOFF WITH A DENSITY ALT OF APRX 4200 FT, HE LIFTED OFF AFTER USING APRX 2/3 OF THE 3360 FT RWY. HE REPORTED THAT AT THAT TIME, HE SAW HIGH POWER LINES BEYOND THE END OF THE RWY. FULL FLAPS (40 DEGS) WERE EXTENDED TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL LIFT. HOWEVER, WHEN THE PLT SAW THAT HE WOULD NOT CLEAR OVER THE 120 FT POWER LINES, HE ELECTED TO FLY UNDER THEM. HE THEN SAW A LOWER TRANSMISSION LINE & STARTED A SHALLOW LEFT TURN. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT SETTLED TO THE GROUND & COLLIDED WITH A FENCE BEFORE COMING TO REST. THE MAX LIFT OVER DRAG CONFIGURATION FOR THE CESSNA 170B IS 20 DEG OF FLAP EXTENSION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8018A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8018A), registered now, S/N 20870, 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: 20870
- Airframe hours: 2684
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rodney F. Wood
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 24, 1983, 22 hours before
- Destination: 59S, VANCOUVER, WA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: IO5, Rohrer Field, runway 14, 3,360 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 527 total, 362 in this make and model, 527 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: STY, 4 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 19830527021859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830527021859A), May 27, 1983: Cessna 170B, Yreka, CA, Substantial damage. High density altitude and full load on takeoff. Used full flaps to try to clear wires. Settled to ground impact.

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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