# NTSB LAX87LA106: Cessna 170B, N3441C, Plaster City, CA, February 2, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 2, 1987, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Plaster City, CA
- Location: 32.7926° N, 115.8586° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Plaster City, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7926&lon=-115.8586&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25514
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25514/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA106

## Sequence of events

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

- Vortex turbulence encountered, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - airspeed(vso) - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - buzzing - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL BUSINESS FLIGHT THE PILOT WAS FLYING LOW, APPROXIMATELY 50 FT AGL, AND SLOW WITH 30 DEGREES OF FLAPS EXTENDED TO TAKE AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS OF A MOTORCYCLIST ON THE GROUND. UPON COMPLETING A 360 DEGREE TURN TO THE LEFT, THE AIRCRAFT FLEW THROUGH ITS OWN WAKE, STALLED AND BEGAN LOSING ALTITUDE. THE PILOT ADDED POWER AND RETRACTED THE FLAPS. THE AIRCRAFT THEN COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3441C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3441C-2012-09-12), registration cancelled 2012-09-12, S/N 26484, built 1954 (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: 26484
- Airframe hours: 4343
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A35OC2 215 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Lowell R. Schoonmaker
- Registered owner: Lowell R. Schoonmaker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Unknown, April 1, 1986, 65 hours before
- Departed: 9L4, EL CENTRO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,819 total, 2,417 in this make and model, 2,771 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IPL, 16 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 19870202001499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870202001499A), Feb 2, 1987: Cessna 170B, Plaster City, CA, Destroyed. The aircraft stalled during a low altitude turn. The pilot retracted the flaps while trying to recover.

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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