# NTSB SEA88LA067: Cessna 170, N2958D, Ashland, OR, March 27, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 26, 1988, 20:30 local (Mar 27, 1988, 04:30 UTC)
- Place: Ashland, OR
- Coordinates: 42.149925, -122.529983 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1499&lon=-122.5300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40795
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40795/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA067

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - hazardous weather advisory - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DURING A DARK NIGHT VFR FLIGHT, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A SEVERE DOWNDRAFT AND INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. WITH FULL POWER THE ACFT DESCENDED, STRIKING TREES BEFORE IT STRUCK THE GROUND. DURING THE PILOT'S PREFLIGHT BRIEFING AND IN-FLIGHT BRIEFING HE WAS TOLD THAT FLIGHT PRECAUTIONS WERE PRESENT BECAUSE OF ICING, TURBULENCE, MOUNTAIN OBSCURATIONS, AND IFR CONDITIONS. IN A POST ACC STATEMENT THE PLT SAID HE WAS DESCENDING FROM 8000 FT MSL TO LAND AT MEDFORD OR FOR REFUELING WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED A STRONG DOWNDRAFT. THIS DESCENT CONTINUED UNTIL ABOUT 2000 FT AGL AT AN AIRSPEED OF 50 MPH. DUE TO LOW AIRSPEED AND TURBULENCE THE PLT DECIDED AGAINST TRYING A 180 DEGREE TURN. IMC WX CONDITIONS WERE ENCOUNTERED IN THE FORM OF FOG AND SNOW. THE PLT TURNED FROM 310 DEGREES TO 300 DEGREES AND BEGAN A CLIMB. AT APRX 6100 FT MSL ANOTHER DOWNDRAFT WAS ENCOUNTERED AND THE ACFT DESCENDED AT ABOUT 60 MPH UNTIL TREES WAS CONTACTED AT APRX 5100 FT. THE WINGS AND TOP OF THE ACFT WERE TORN OFF BUT THE 2 OCCUPANTS SURVIVED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2958D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2958D-2013-08-07), registration cancelled 2013-08-07, S/N 26901, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170
- Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20750
- Airframe hours: 4111
- Engines: LYCOMING O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mark D. Mueller
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 1987, 30 hours before
- Departed: SAC, SACRAMENTO, CA
- Destination: MFR, MEDFORD, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,353 total, 10 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 330° at 30 knots, gusting 40
- Temperature: 30 °F

## Other investigations on N2958D (2)

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 LAX05CA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA233), Jul 14, 2005: Cessna 170B (N2958D), Prescott, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's misjudged flare, and excessive use of the elevator control, which resulted in a failure to maintain adequate airspeed and a stall/mush.
- [NTSB FTW74FQG55](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74FQG55), May 18, 1974: Cessna 170B (N2958D), Slaton, TX, 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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