# NTSB LAX85LA085: Cessna 170A, N9164A, Cottonwood, AZ, December 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 25, 1984, 15:42 local (22:42 UTC)
- Place: Cottonwood, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.750511, -112.010879 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7505&lon=-112.0109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24618
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24618/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA085

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE ACFT WAS IN LEVEL FLIGHT AT TREETOP ALTITUDE ALONG A RIVER AND THAT THE ENGINE WAS OPERATINGNORMALLY UNTIL THE ACFT STRUCK & SEVERED THREE POWER LINES BEFORE IMPACTING THE RIVERBANK ABOUT 200 FT WEST OF THE WIRES

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9164A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9164A-2013-07-29), registration cancelled 2013-07-29, S/N 19358, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170A
- Registry model: [Cessna 170A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170a) (registry code 2072304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 19358
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Glen Maybury
- Last inspection: Annual, August 8, 1984
- Departed: P52, COTTONWOOD, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; medical: unknown, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 65 statute miles
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PRC

## 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 19841225068429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841225068429A), Dec 25, 1984: Cessna 170A, Cottonwood, AZ, Substantial damage. Witnesses saw aircraft flying at treetop level collide with powerlines spanning a river.

## Other investigations on N9164A (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 DEN83LA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA023), Nov 11, 1982: Cessna 170A (N9164A), Durango, CO, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX81DUK05](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81DUK05), Sep 13, 1981: Cessna 170A (N9164A), Cottonwood, AZ, 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.

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