# NTSB SEA83LA015: Cessna 120, N3177N, Midvale, ID, October 31, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 31, 1982, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Midvale, ID
- Coordinates: 44.38013, -116.580314 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3801&lon=-116.5803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71701
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71701/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA015

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING IN A PLOWED FIELD NEAR THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR FAILED TO CLEAR THE BARBED-WIRE PERIMETER FENCE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN IN A YAW AND CRASHED. THE PILOT SUSPECTED THERE WAS ICE IN THE FUEL LINES; HOWEVER, THIS WAS NOT VERIFIED. HE ESTIMATED THE TEMPERATURE WAS 30 DEGREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3177N (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 13435
- Airframe hours: 2487
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Leroy D. Grothans
- Registered owner: Leroy D. Grothans
- Departed: MIDVALE, ID
- Destination: MIDVALE, ID
- Airport: runway 32, 2,000 × 60 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,150 total, 843 in this make and model, 975 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 86 °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 19821031055959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821031055959A), Oct 31, 1982: Cessna 120, Midvale, ID, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff. Airplane hit a fence off end of runway, nosed over. Pilot believed carburetor ice problem.

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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