# NTSB NYC04LA120: Cessna 170B, N1754D, Shirley, NY, May 8, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 8, 2004, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Shirley, NY - Coordinates: 40.850833, -72.876388 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8508&lon=-72.8764&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO-11 - NTSB case key (mKey): 59186 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04LA120 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59186/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA120 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate pre-flight inspection, which resulted in his failure to remove the engine inlet covers and subsequent loss of engine power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - normal - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - misc eqpt/furnishings,engine inlet covers - not removed (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - Fire, standing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot conducted a preflight inspection of the airplane and departed for a local flight. Approximately 20 minutes after takeoff, he noticed a drop in engine oil pressure and RPM. Shortly thereafter, the engine lost all power and the pilot performed a successful forced landing to a parking lot. After landing, the pilot exited the airplane and observed smoke and fire emanating from the cowling. He also observed that the engine cowling plugs were still in place. The fire spread and consumed the airplane. Examination of the of the engine did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. ## Factual narrative On May 8, 2004, about 1700 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 170B, N1754D, experienced a loss of engine power, and was destroyed after a forced landing in Shirley, New York. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed Brookhaven Airport, Shirley, New York. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he conducted a preflight inspection of the airplane and departed for a local flight. Approximately 20 minutes after takeoff, he noticed a drop in engine oil pressure and RPM. Shortly thereafter, the engine lost all power and the pilot performed a successful forced landing to a parking lot. After landing, the pilot exited the airplane and observed smoke and fire emanating from the cowling. He also observed that the engine cowling plugs were still in place. The fire spread and consumed the airplane. Examination of the of the engine did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. Nor did the pilot report any. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1754D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1754D-2014-09-10), registration cancelled 2014-09-10, S/N 20344, built 1952 (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: 20344 - Airframe hours: 3986 - Engines: Continental C-145 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jeff A. Miller - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 25, 2003, 21 hours before - Departed: HWV, Shirley, NY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review December 4, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 489 total, 350 in this make and model, 404 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.38 inHg - Observed at: HWV ## 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 20040508026709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040508026709A), May 8, 2004: Cessna 170B, Shirley, NY, Destroyed. (-23) On 05-08-2004 at approximately 1800 local time, Mr. Jeff a. miller, pilot certificate number 95505821, was the pilot-in-command of N1754D, a CE-170-B.… 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.