# NTSB MIA89FA173: Cessna 170B, N3100B, Sarasota, FL, June 10, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 10, 1989, 17:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Sarasota, FL
- Location: 27.3383° N, 82.5437° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sarasota, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.3383&lon=-82.5437&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32295
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89FA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32295/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89FA173

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHILE MANEUVERING TO SPOT CATTLE FOR A GROUND CREW.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high vegetation
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS MANEUVERING TO SPOT CATTLE FOR A GROUND CREW WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. AS A TURN WAS MADE TO REVERSE DIRECTION, THE PLT'S ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED TO LOOKING FOR COWS AND THE AIRSPEED WAS ALLOWED TO DECREASE. THE AIRPLANE THEN STALLED AND ENTERED A SPIN FROM WHICH IT CRASHED INTO TREES AND THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3100B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3100B-1991-08-10), registration cancelled 1991-08-10, S/N 25342 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B
- Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17025342
- Airframe hours: 3384
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Carlton, Thomas M.
- Registered owner: Mabry Carlton & Sons Ranch Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 1989, 2 hours before
- Departed: OXO, SARASOTA, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,502 total, 1,460 in this make and model, 970 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 79 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SQR, 24 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 19890610014979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890610014979A), Jun 10, 1989: Cessna 170B, Sarasota, FL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Stalled at low altitude while spotting cattle on a ranch. Struck trees and burned.

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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