# NTSB NYC87LA057: Cessna 170A, N5571C, Marston Mills, MA, January 9, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 9, 1987, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Marston Mills, MA
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30578
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30578/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA057

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT WAS ON AN AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY MISSION BUT DUE TO THE HEAVY CLOUD COVER, THE AIRCRAFT RETURNED TO DEPARTURE AIRPORT. THE ENGINE QUIT BEFORE REACHING THE RUNWAY AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN. EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL TANKS REVEALED THAT THE LEFT TANK CONTAINED 5 GALLONS OF FUEL WHILE THE RIGHT TANK CONTAINED ABOUT 2 GALLONS

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5571C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5571C-1988-04-07), registration cancelled 1988-04-07, S/N 19624 (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: 19624
- Airframe hours: 900
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard C. Kelsey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1986, 40 hours before
- Departed: CHATHAM, MA
- Airport: Cape Cod

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,247 total, 71 in this make and model, 3,225 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 36 °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 19870109000469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870109000469A), Jan 9, 1987: Cessna 170A, Marston Mills, MA, Substantial damage. The engine lost partial power. Plane struck trees short of a runway. Left tank empty, right had 5 gal. Sector both

## Other investigations on N5571C (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 NYC88LA059](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA059), Dec 22, 1987: Cessna 170A (N5571C), Sandwich, MA, destroyed, 1 fatal

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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