# NTSB SEA03CA155: Cessna 170B, N1979C, Schafer, MT, July 27, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 27, 2003, 07:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Schafer, MT - Coordinates: 48.087223, -113.250831 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0872&lon=-113.2508&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 57600 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA03CA155 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57600/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03CA155 ## Probable cause The pilot's delayed remedial action during the takeoff roll. Factors include wet terrain, a fence and an embankment located at the end of the runway. ## Analysis The pilot reported that he aborted the takeoff roll because he determined that the aircraft was not generating sufficient lift to execute a safe takeoff and clear obstacles located at the end of the runway. He reported that he applied heavy braking, however, the airplane skidded off the departure end of the runway, through a fence, and down an embankment. The pilot reported that the turf runway was damp at the time of the accident. He also reported that the he aborted the takeoff approximately halfway down the runway. The Schafer Airport is located at an elevation of 4,933 feet above mean sea level, and has a single turf runway (07/25), which is 3,200 feet long and 60 feet wide. ## Factual narrative On July 27, 2003, about 0745 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 170B, N1979C, sustained substantial damage during an aborted takeoff and subsequent runway overrun at the Schafer Airport (8U2), Schafer, Montana. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal cross-country flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight. The pilot's planned destination was Helena, Montana. In a written report, the pilot reported that he aborted the takeoff roll because he determined that the aircraft was not generating sufficient lift to execute a safe takeoff and clear obstacles located at the end of the runway. He reported that he applied heavy braking, however, the airplane skidded off the departure end of the runway, through a fence, and down an embankment. The Schafer Airport is located at an elevation of 4,933 feet above mean sea level, and has a single turf runway (07/25), which is 3,200 feet long and 60 feet wide. The pilot reported that the turf runway was damp at the time of the accident. He also reported that he aborted the takeoff approximately halfway down the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, takeoff - aborted - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment (contributing factor) - object - fence (contributing factor) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1979C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1979C-2018-01-11), registration cancelled 2018-01-11, S/N 26124, 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 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 26124 - Engines: Continental O-300 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Craig Hanson - Registered owner: Clhlc, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 8U2, SCHAFER, MT - Destination: HLN, HELENA, MT - Airport: 8U2, Schafer /Usfs/, runway 25, 3,200 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 334 total, 134 in this make and model, 17 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20030727018079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030727018079A), Jul 27, 2003: Cessna 170B, Schafer, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot reported that he aborted take-off due to insufficient power. The aircraft went through a fence at the end of the runway, hit some trees, and came… ## Other investigations on N1979C (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 DEN87LA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA125), May 16, 1987: Cessna 170B (N1979C), Big Sky, MT, substantial damage 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.