# NTSB NYC90LA005: Cessna 170B, N727Z, Burlington, CT, October 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1989, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Burlington, CT
- Location: 41.7693° N, 72.9645° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Burlington, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7693&lon=-72.9645&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36563
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36563/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA005

## Probable cause

THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDING WITH A STEEL DRUM PLACED ON THE RUNWAY BY UNKNOWN PERSON(S) TO MARK A POTHOLE AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - other (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE RUNWAY HAS A CROWN. THERE WAS CROSSWIND FROM THE RIGHT. AFTER LANDING THE AIRPLANE DRIFTED LEFT, BUT STILL ON THE RUNWAY. AS IT PASSED OVER THE CROWN, THE PILOT SAW A STEEL DRUM AHEAD AND WAS UNABLE TO AVOID IT. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE DRUM AND GROUNDLOOPED. THE DRUM WAS PLACED ON THE RUNWAY BY UNKNOWN PERSONS TO MARK A POTHOLE AREA OF THE RUNWAY. NO NOTAM HAD BEEN ISSUED. THE RUNWAY WAS IN A POOR STATE OF REPAIR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N727Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N727Z), registered now, S/N 25542, built 1953 (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: 25542
- Airframe hours: 5127
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ernest Rowehl
- Registered owner: Laboratory Flying Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 18, 1988, 121 hours before
- Departed: FRGP, FARMINGDALE, NY
- Airport: 220, Juhnnycake, runway 19, 3,420 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,315 total, 1,832 in this make and model, 2,266 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 8 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point -0 °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 19891006039429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891006039429A), Oct 6, 1989: Cessna 170B, Burlington, CT, Substantial damage. Lost directional control landing in crosswind. Struck steel drum near edge of runway.

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.