# NTSB LAX94LA002: Cessna 170, N4266V, Fallon, NV, October 2, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 1, 1993, 18:30 local (Oct 2, 1993, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Fallon, NV - Coordinates: 39.499973, -118.290061 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5000&lon=-118.2901&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28564 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA002 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28564/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA002 ## Probable cause was the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate approach path to the runway and his inadequate altitude. Contributing factors were the pilot's delayed remedial action and his lack of recent experience in the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - lack of recent experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - object - fence ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had just purchased the airplane, and the accident occurred during his familiarization flight. The pilot took off and, along with the previous owner, flew to a local practice area. The previous owner demonstrated airwork and then demonstrated a takeoff and a landing. According to the pilot, he then attempted to land the airplane. During his first approach, he 'waved off.' The pilot further reported that during his second approach he was low. The pilot added full engine power, and the airplane's main landing gear collided with the airport's perimeter fence short of the runway. The pilot had not flown any airplane during the previous 90 days. Also, he had no previous piloting experience in the accident make and model airplane. ## Factual narrative On October 1, 1993, at 1830 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 170, N4266V, operated by the pilot, collided with the airport's perimeter fence on short final approach to runway 31 at the Fallon Municipal Airport, Fallon, Nevada. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot was not injured. The passenger received minor injuries. The flight originated from Fallon at 1750. The pilot reported that he had just purchased the airplane, and the purpose of the flight was for his familiarization. The pilot reported that he took off and flew to a local practice area with the seller of the airplane on board. The seller demonstrated airwork, and then demonstrated a takeoff and a landing. The pilot further reported he then made an approach to runway 31, "waved off," and attempted another landing. Regarding the attempted landing, the pilot made the following statement in his completed "Aircraft Accident Report," NTSB Form 6120.1: "When I realized I was landing short...I added full power to make a go-around. The main landing gear caught the perimeter fence and the aircraft came to rest on its right side." The pilot indicated that he had not flown any airplane during the 90 days which preceded the accident. Also, his total piloting experience in the accident airplane's make and model was zero hours. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4266V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4266V-2013-08-14), registration cancelled 2013-08-14, S/N 18624, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 170 - Registry model: [Cessna 170](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170) (registry code 2072302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18624 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Joel R. Henderson - Registered owner: Leroy E. Warden - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1993, 1 hours before - Airport: FLX, Fallon Municipal, runway 31, 3,650 × 75 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,000 total, 900 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °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 19931001037369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931001037369A), Oct 1, 1993: Cessna 170, Fallon, NV, Substantial damage. Too low on final added power too late. Landing gear caught perimeter fence. Just purchased. Zero time in type. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.