# NTSB SEA83LA024: Cessna 170, N2698V, Spanaway, WA, November 21, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 21, 1982, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Spanaway, WA
- Coordinates: 47.049255, -122.360397 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0493&lon=-122.3604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 21, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72656
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72656/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA024

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE CLIMBING THROUGH ABOUT 75 TO 100 FT AGL, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. HE MANEUVERED THE AIRCRAFT STRAIGHT AHEAD TO LAND BEYOND A HIGHWAY. THERE WERE TRANSMISSION LINES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ROADWAY. THE PILOT BELIEVED HE HAD INSUFFICIENT AIRSPEED AND ALTITUDE TO SAFELY FLY OVER THE LINES. REPORTEDLY, THE TAIL CONTACTED A CABLE WHILE CROSSING UNDER THE FIRST SET OF WIRES (A TELEPHONE LINE). THE RIGHT WING CONTACTED THE GROUND, THE AIRCRAFT CARTWHEELED ACROSS THE HIGHWAY, THEN IT CAME TO REST IN A DITCH ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. AS THE OCCUPANTS EXITED THE AIRCRAFT, A SMALL FIRE DEVELOPED IN THE VICINITY OF THE ENGINE. WITHIN A SHORT TIME THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS POSITIONED TO BOTH TANKS.WATER WAS FOUND IN THE RIGHT TANK AND IN A LINE LEADING FROM THE RIGHT TANK. RUST WAS FOUND ON THE INSIDE TANGS OF THE RIGHT FUEL CAP, IN THE THREADS OF THE RIGHT QUICK DRAIN AND THE CARBURETOR. NO OTHER PREIMPACT PROBLEMS WERE EVIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2698V (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18208
- Airframe hours: 2915
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Margarette Fremont
- Registered owner: Margarette Fremont
- Departed: S44, SPANAWAY, WA
- Destination: S44, SPANAWAY, WA
- Airport: S44, Spanaway, runway 16, 2,700 × 90 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,310 total, 235 in this make and model, 1,280 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 99 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TCM, 4 nm away

## 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 19821121059519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821121059519A), Nov 21, 1982: Cessna 170, Spanaway, WA, Destroyed. Engine quit after takeoff. Crash occurred during emergency landing.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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