# NTSB SEA85FA049: Cessna 170A, N3845V, Lopez, WA, January 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 27, 1985, 11:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Lopez, WA
- Coordinates: 48.490585, -122.869567 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.4906&lon=-122.8696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40030
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85FA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40030/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85FA049

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - aerobatics - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - pull-up - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTURE N3845V JOINED UP WITH ANOTHER ACFT AND WAS FLYING APRX 200-300 FT AGL IN FORMATION. THE PLT OF N3845V THEN PULLED UP INTO WHAT WITNESSES DESCRIBED AS A WING OVER MANEUVER AFTER WHICH THE ACFT DESCENDED TO GROUND IMPACT. ONE WITNESS, WHO KNEW THE PLT, STATED THAT THE PLT OFTEN LIKED TO 'SHOW OFF' FOR PEOPLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3845V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3845V-1992-10-23), registration cancelled 1992-10-23, S/N 18732 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170A
- Registry model: [Cessna 170A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170a) (registry code 2072304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18732
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Herbert W. Hammond
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 26, 1984, 49 hours before
- Departed: S31, LOPEZ, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 591 total, 118 in this make and model, 569 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NUW, 15 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 19850127022289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850127022289A), Jan 27, 1985: Cessna 170A, Lopez, WA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Attempted a wingover too close to the ground. Unable to pull out of dive in time, impacted ground.

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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