# NTSB LAX85LA387: Cessna 170B, N1659D, Buckeye, AZ, September 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1985, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Buckeye, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.379463, -112.550415 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3795&lon=-112.5504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24831
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA387
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24831/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA387

## 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
  - terrain condition - soft (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ditch (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO DEPART ON SOFT SILT & SAND. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL THE ACFT WHEELS SANK INTO THE SOFT TERRAIN NECESSATATING DIFFERENTIAL BRAKING TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. AS THE ACFT APPROACHED A DITCH THE PLT FORCED THE ACFT AIRBORNE. THE ACFT LIFTED OFF THEN SETTLED ONTO THE GROUND. DURING THE SUBSEQUENT GROUND ROLL THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH SOME HIGH DESERT SHRUBBERY AND A TREE STUMP. THE PLT DID NOT REPORT ANY PREIMPACT MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1659D (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2031
- Airframe hours: 2700
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C145 SERIES 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gilbert Cuevas Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1985
- Destination: P37, GLENDALE, AK
- Airport: BXK, Buckeye Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19850905043879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850905043879A), Sep 5, 1985: Cessna 170B, Buckeye, AZ, Destroyed. Differential braking plus sand and silt on riverbed caused poor takeoff acceleration. Hit shrubbery and tree stump.

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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