# NTSB LAX87LA289: Cessna 170A, N9039A, Independence, CA, August 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1987, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Independence, CA
- Coordinates: 36.829963, -118.240943 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8300&lon=-118.2409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25656
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA289
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25656/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA289

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)
  - recovery from bounced landing - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PLT STATED THAT EN ROUTE THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST PARTIAL POWER. THE PLT MADE A 180 DEGREE TURN TO TRY AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT A NEARBY AIRPORT, HOWEVER, THE PLT REALIZED THAT HE WOULD BE SHORT OF THE RWY. THE PLT LANDED THE ACFT IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE ACFT BOUNCED SEVERAL TIMES THEN NOSED OVER. THE ENGINE HAD BEEN REMOVED TO ANOTHER STATE PRIOR TO AN OFFICIAL EXAMINATION. THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FAILURE IS UNDETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9039A (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18794
- Airframe hours: 2300
- Engines: FRANKLIN O-300 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: May, Richard B
- Registered owner: Richard B May
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1986, 40 hours before
- Departed: PTV, PORTERVILLE, CA
- Destination: BIH, BISHOP, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 207, Independence, runway 14, 3,245 × 40 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 279 total, 200 in this make and model, 228 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BIH, 34 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 19870812044049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870812044049A), Aug 12, 1987: Cessna 170B, Independence, CA, Substantial damage. Engine lost partial power and began knocking. Unable to make nearby airport, landed short and nosed over.

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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