# NTSB SEA07CA125: Cessna 170B, N2778C, Fairfield, ID, May 17, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 17, 2007, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Fairfield, ID
- Coordinates: 42.337223, -114.796669
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3372&lon=-114.7967&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 25, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65809
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07CA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65809/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA125

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while turning from base to final, resulting in an inadvertent stall/mush and subsequent collision with terrain.

## 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 - base turn
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

The pilot said that he entered the traffic pattern for a full stop landing.  He set the airplane up for landing with two notches of flaps, and while turning from base to final, the airspeed got low and the airplane stalled.  The pilot attempted to recover but the aircraft impacted a field adjacent to the airport.  The left landing gear collapsed and the airplane spun 180 degrees from its impact heading.  The airplane's fuselage/empennage were wrinkled and bent approximately 35 degrees, and the engine mount and firewall were bent.

## Factual narrative

The pilot said that he entered the traffic pattern for a full stop landing.  He set the airplane up for landing with two notches of flaps, and while turning from base to final, the airspeed got low and the airplane stalled.  The pilot attempted to recover but the aircraft impacted a field adjacent to the airport.  The left landing gear collapsed and the airplane spun 180 degrees from its impact heading.  The airplane's fuselage/empennage were wrinkled and bent approximately 35 degrees, and the engine mount and firewall were bent.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2778C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2778C-2013-05-10), registration cancelled 2013-05-10, S/N 26322, built 1954 (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: 26322
- Engines: Continental C145-2 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John A. Graig
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: U86, Smiley Crk Arpt, ID
- Destination: U86, Fairfield, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 335 total, 95 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 20070517007509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070517007509A), May 17, 2007: Cessna 170B, Fairfield, ID, Substantial damage. (-23) The aircraft was south of the Fairfield, Idaho airport, and crashed while approaching to land on runway 07. The pilot stated that he was descending from…

## Other investigations on N2778C (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 MKC66D0423](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC66D0423), Feb 19, 1966: Cessna 170B (N2778C), Bonner Sprng, KS, 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.

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