# NTSB MIA94LA127: Cessna 170A, N9530A, Bushnell, FL, April 26, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 26, 1994, 15:42 local (20:42 UTC) - Place: Bushnell, FL - Coordinates: 28.660062, -82.109123 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.6601&lon=-82.1091&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 18, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37535 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA127 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37535/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA127 ## Probable cause The pilot-in-command's improper landing flare during a forced landing, resulting in a hard landing and separation of the right main landing gear. Contributing to the accident was a partial loss of engine power due to a loose exhaust valve seat on the No. 3 cylinder. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - loose (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis The commercial pilot was about 50 feet agl on initial takeoff climb when the airplane started to vibrate and the engine started running rough. The pilot determined that he could not clear trees at the end of an open field and made a forced landing straight ahead maneuvering around some trees and cattle. The pilot stated he flared a little high, landed hard and the right main landing gear separated. Subsequent examination of the engine assembly by the FAA and the pilot revealed the exhaust valve seat on the No. 3 cylinder was loose. ## Factual narrative On April 26, 1994, about 1542 eastern standard time, a Cessna 170A, N9530A, registered to Dennis W. Woodard, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 paradrop flight, experienced a partial loss of power on initial climb from Bushnell Airport, Bushnell, Florida. The pilot made a forced landing straight ahead to an open field maneuvering around some cows and trees. The pilot stated he flared a little high, landed hard, and the right main landing gear separated. The airplane was substantially damaged. The commercial pilot received minor injuries and the three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated about 2 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated on climb at about 50 feet agl, the airplane started to vibrate, and the engine ran rough. He thought he had blown a cylinder, and he made a forced landing straight ahead to avoid colliding with a tree line at the end of an open field. Examination of the engine by the FAA and the registered owner revealed the engine exhaust valve on the No. 3 cylinder was loose. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9530A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9530A-1997-07-17), registration cancelled 1997-07-17, S/N 19091 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 170A - Registry model: [Cessna 170A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170a) (registry code 2072304) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15031-1-6-BR - Airframe hours: 3795 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-B 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Woodard, Dennis W. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, June 19, 1993, 31 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 11 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PIE, 30 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 19940426009369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940426009369A), Apr 26, 1994: Cessna 170A, Bushnell, FL, Substantial damage. Power loss on initial climb for paradrop flight. Landed hard in a pasture. Found loose valve NR3 cylinder. 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.