# NTSB MIA91LA021: Cessna 170, N4023V, Patillas, PR, November 4, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 4, 1990, 09:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Patillas, PR
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32790
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32790/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA021

## Probable cause

THE ACCIDENT WAS FAILURE OF THE NON CERTIFICATED PILOT TO LOWER THE FLAPS TO THE CORRECT POSITION FOR TAKEOFF AND FAILURE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF DUE TO INSUFFICIENT ACCELERATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - lowering of flaps - inadequate, unqualified person (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - not performed, unqualified person (cause)
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE PLT DOES NOT HAVE A PLT CERTIFICATE. HE STATED IT TOOK LONGER THAN USUAL TO RAISE THE TAIL DURING THE GROUND ROLL. THE FLT WAS ABOUT 3/4 DOWN THE 2,000 FT RWY, WITH 10 DEGS OF FLAPS LOWERED, WHEN HE REALIZED THAT THE AIRSPEED WAS INSUFFICIENT TO BECOME AIRBORNE & THERE WASN'T ENOUGH RWY REMAINING TO STOP. HE CONTINUED THE TAKEOFF BUT THE MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLIDED WITH A FENCE AT THE END OF THE RWY. THE ACFT CRASHED INTO  A FIELD. THERE WAS NO ENG FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL, FULL FLAPS (30 DEGS) SHOULD BE USED FOR THE SHORTEST TAKEOFF. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE HAD ACCUMULATED APRX 30 HRS IN THIS MAKE & MODEL ACFT BUT HAD NOT RECEIVED FORMAL TRAINING. REVIEW OF HIS LOGBOOK REVEALED THAT HE HAD LOGGED APRX 40 HOURS IN THE PREVIOUS 17 YRS. THE LAST LOGGED ENTRY WAS 9 YRS 4 MOS EARLIER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4023V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4023V-2012-11-15), registration cancelled 2012-11-15, S/N 18342, 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: 18342
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Torregrosa, Antonio
- Registered owner: Torregrosa, Antonio
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Airport: X64, Patillas, runway 10, 2,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; medical: unknown; flight hours: 42 total, 30 in this make and model, 23 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: MJPS, 31 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 19901104048569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901104048569A), Nov 4, 1990: Cessna 170, Patillas, Puerto Rico, Substantial damage. Unable to lift until last third runway. Gear hit fence cauing crash. No pilot license.

## Other investigations on N4023V (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA67F0449](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA67F0449), Mar 18, 1967: Cessna 170 (N4023V), St.Thomas, VI, substantial damage

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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