# NTSB SEA83LA151: Cessna 170B, N3033A, Ellensburg, WA, July 17, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1983, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Ellensburg, WA
- Coordinates: 46.97005, -120.469337 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9701&lon=-120.4693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39731
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39731/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA151

## Analysis

THE ACFT NOSED OVER DURING AN ABORTED TAKEOFF. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ACFT WAS SUBJECTED TO A GUSTY TAILWIND JUST BEFORE TAKEOFF AND THE ACFT STARTED TO SKIP AND SKID WITH THE NOSE TO THE LEFT. THE PILOT STARTED ABORT PROCEDURES AND SAID THE TAIL OF THE ACFT CONTINUED TO RISE UNTIL THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THERE WAS NO RECORD OF SIGNIFICANT WEATHER AT THEACCIDENT SITE. WEATHER DATA REMARKS SHOW CUMULONIMBUS CLOUDS TO THE WEST OF THE AIRPORT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff
  - aborted takeoff - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3033A (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25677
- Airframe hours: 3894
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: R. L. Smithhart, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 30, 1982, 17 hours before
- Destination: BFI, SEATTLE, WA
- Airport: ELN, Bowers, runway 7, 5,847 × 150 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 176 total, 93 in this make and model, 120 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 8° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: YKM, 30 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 19830717032899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830717032899A), Jul 17, 1983: Cessna 170B, Ellensburg, WA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on the takeoff roll. Nosed over trying to regain control. Possibly too much brake use.

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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