# NTSB NYC88LA034: Cessna 170B, N8128A, Shirley, MA, November 8, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 8, 1987, 12:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Shirley, MA
- Location: 42.5365° N, 71.6674° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Shirley, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5365&lon=-71.6674&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36058
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36058/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA034

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - gusts
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING FINAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 19 AT SHIRLEY, MASSACHUSETTS THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED INVERTED. PILOT WAS ABLE TO CORRECT AND BRING THE AIRCRAFT UPRIGHT BUT DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH ALTITUDE TO CLEAR TREES. HE SET THE AIRCRAFT INTO THE TREES AND THE WING FOLDED BACK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8128A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8128A-2013-02-27), registration cancelled 2013-02-27, S/N 20980, 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: 20980
- Airframe hours: 2564
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Albert A. Wilkinson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 25, 1987, 84 hours before
- Departed: 6B6, STOW, MA
- Destination: 9B4, SHIRLEY, MA
- Airport: 9B4, Shirley, runway 19, 3,250 × 55 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,000 total, 600 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 10 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19871108066799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871108066799A), Nov 8, 1987: Cessna 170B, Shirley, MA, Substantial damage. On final, rolled inverted in gusty winds. Recovered upright then crashed in trees. Failed to maintain airspeed.

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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