# NTSB LAX92LA373: Cessna 170A, N9923A, Holtville, CA, September 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1992, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Holtville, CA
- Coordinates: 32.830108, -115.19065 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8301&lon=-115.1907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27752
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA373
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27752/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA373

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S ENCOUNTER WITH THE UNFORECASTED DUST DEVIL.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS DEPARTING ON A LOCAL PERSONAL FLIGHT.  DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL HE OBSERVED A DUST DEVIL NORTH OF THE AIRPORT NEXT TO THE FREEWAY. AT LIFT OFF THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED A STRONG GUST OF WIND THAT TURNED IT TO THE LEFT TOWARD THE FREEWAY FENCE.  THE AIRCRAFT'S LEFT WING STRUCK THE FENCE.  TWO GROUND WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING THE DUST DEVIL APPROACH THE AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9923A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9923A-2003-10-27), registration cancelled 2003-10-27, S/N 19283, 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: 19283
- Airframe hours: 3314
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard M. Stuhr
- Registered owner: Richard M. Stuhr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, July 10, 1992, 1 hours before
- Airport: D. S. Dusters, runway 9, 2,200 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 7 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 102 °F

## 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 19920902035069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920902035069A), Sep 2, 1992: Cessna 170A, Holtville, CA, Substantial damage. Dust devil struck aircraft on liftoff. Veered off runway heading. Windshear caused aircraft to strike a fence.

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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