# NTSB SEA90FA057: Cessna 170, N4130V, Republic, WA, March 25, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 25, 1990, 13:39 local (21:39 UTC)
- Place: Republic, WA
- Coordinates: 48.589942, -118.700256 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5899&lon=-118.7003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41101
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90FA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41101/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA057

## Probable cause

IMPROPER INSPECTION AND AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATION OF THE AIRCRAFT ON THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION BY AN FAA AUTHORIZED REPAIR STATION, THE INADEQUATE ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND LOW CYLINDER COMPRESSION, AND THE PILOTS ATTEMPT TO TAKEOFF WITH KNOWN AIRCRAFT DEFICIENCIES. THE RISING TERRAIN AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - roll/run
  - engine assembly,cylinder - low compression (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - inadequate (cause)
  - airspeed(vs) - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE A TAKEOFF IN THE ACFT WITH A KNOWN DEFICIENCY OF LOW ENGINE COMPRESSION AND LOST CONTROL ATTEMPTING TO CLEAR LOW HILLS AT THE END OF THE RWY. THE AIRCRAFT STALLED AND NOSED INTO A HILLSIDE. THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN CERTIFIED AS AIRWORTHY ON ANNUAL INSPECTION WITH UNACCEPTABLE COMPRESSION ON TWO CYLINDERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4130V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4130V-2012-11-07), registration cancelled 2012-11-07, S/N 18462, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170
- Registry model: [Cessna 170](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170) (registry code 2072302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18462
- Airframe hours: 3450
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William E. Denton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 7, 1989, 4 hours before
- Airport: WA48, Ferry County, runway 34, 3,480 × 60 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: 63S, 33 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 19900325005179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900325005179A), Mar 25, 1990: Cessna 170, Republic, WA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Stalled and crashed on climbout. Engine had a weak cylinder. Pilot had worked on aircraft.

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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