# NTSB MKC83LA006: Cessna 170A, N9035A, Le Mars, IA, October 12, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 12, 1982, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Le Mars, IA
- Coordinates: 42.780258, -96.159378 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7803&lon=-96.1594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 12, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71395
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC83LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71395/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC83LA006

## 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
  - object - animal(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON A POWER LINE PATROL MISSION WITH AN OBSERVER ON BOARD. ACCORDING TO HIM, THE WIND WAS FROM THE WEST AT ABOUT 20 KTS AND HE WAS FLYING EAST ALONG A LINE THAT MADE A 90 DEGREE TURN TO THE NORTH. AT THAT POINT, HE BEGAN A 270 DEGREE TURN TO THE RIGHT TO FOLLOW THE LINE NORTH. HOWEVER, ABOUT HALF WAY THROUGH THE TURN, HE SAW THAT IF HE CONTINUED, THE TURN WOULD TAKE HIM OVER A FARMYARD AND CATTLE. HE REVERSED THE TURN BACK TO THE LEFT, TOWARD THE EAST. AS HE ROLLED OUT OF THE LEFT TURN GOING DOWNWARD, THE AIRCRAFT STALLED. HE ATTEMPTED TO RECOVER, BUT THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE AND THE PLANE CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9035A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9035A-2017-06-19), registration cancelled 2017-06-19, S/N 18790, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170A
- Registry model: [Cessna 170A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170a) (registry code 2072304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18790
- Airframe hours: 2623
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: M&B Flying Service
- Registered owner: Rand A. Powers
- Departed: LE MARS, IA
- Destination: LE MARS, IA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 15,905 total, 325 in this make and model, 15,555 as pilot in command, 81 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 140 °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 19821012052199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821012052199A), Oct 12, 1982: Cessna 170A, Le Mars, IA, Destroyed. During pipeline patrol pilot attempted turn at slow airspeed and stalled aircraft causing crash.

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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