# NTSB LAX98LA020: Cessna 170B, N3155A, Fernley, NV, October 24, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 24, 1997, 02:50 local (09:50 UTC) - Place: Fernley, NV - Coordinates: 39.559371, -119.170257 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5594&lon=-119.1703&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 10, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29984 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA020 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29984/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA020 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance during a delayed go-around after an improper decision to continue an approach to an unlighted runway without adequate visual references. Ground fog was a factor in this accident. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr) - light condition - dark night - weather condition - fog (contributing factor) - airport facilities,runway edge lights - not installed - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot was landing on an unlighted runway. While on short final his landing light began reflecting off an airborne mist, so he switched it off. He still had visual contact and elected to continue. As he began to flare, he lost all outside visual references. He attempted a go-around but the right wing struck the runway. The aircraft rebounded and then the left wing struck the runway. The aircraft then pitched down, settled, and slid to a stop on the runway. The pilot was able to exit the aircraft the aircraft without difficulty. The pilot reported that the airport is located in a valley that is below the level of the surrounding terrain. There is no instrument approach associated with the airport. ## Factual narrative On October 24, 1997, at 0250 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 170B, N3155A, collided with the runway while landing at Tiger Field in Fernley, Nevada. The aircraft sustained substantial damage; however, the pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The aircraft was being operated as a personal flight by its pilot/owner when the accident occurred. The flight originated in North Las Vegas, Nevada, at 2330 on October 23. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the accident site and no flight plan was filed. The moon was 21.1 degrees above a level horizon with 38 percent illumination. The pilot was making an approach to unlighted airport. He reported that at the time of the approach the sky was clear. At 800 feet agl he was able to maintain reference to surrounding terrain; however, at 50 to 100 feet agl the lights from the town of Fernley washed out all ground references. He abandoned the approach to runway 15, made a go-around, and set up an approach to runway 33. While on short final to runway 33, his landing light began reflecting off an airborne mist, so he switched it off. He still had visual contact with terrain and elected to continue the approach. As he began to flare, he lost all outside visual references. He attempted another go-around but during the procedure, the right wing struck the runway. The aircraft rebounded and then the left wing struck the runway. The aircraft then pitched down, settled, and slid to a stop on the runway. The pilot was able to exit the aircraft through the cabin door without difficulty. The pilot reported that the airport is located in a valley that is below the level of the surrounding terrain. There is no instrument approach associated with the airport. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3155A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3155A-2015-05-15), registration cancelled 2015-05-15, S/N 25799, built 1953 (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: 25799 - Airframe hours: 2949 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James Edward Piper - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1997, 46 hours before - Departed: VGT, NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV - Destination: N58 - Airport: N58, Tiger Field, runway 33, 4,165 × 55 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,307 total, 789 in this make and model, 4,545 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 100° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 500 ft broken - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: RNO, 45 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 19971024030969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971024030969A), Oct 24, 1997: Cessna 170B, Fernley, NV, Substantial damage. Lost sight of unlighted runway on flare. Began go around. Dragged a wing. Hit runway nose first. 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.