# NTSB SEA92FA197: Cessna 170A, N9577A, Lopez, WA, September 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 12, 1992, 19:10 local (Sep 13, 1992, 02:10 UTC)
- Place: Lopez, WA
- Coordinates: 48.490734, -122.87033 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.4907&lon=-122.8703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41592
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92FA197
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41592/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92FA197

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN. FACTORS INCLUDE GUSTY, UNFAVORABLE, HIGH VELOCITY WINDS, AND TURBULENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AT THE TIME THE CESSNA 170 ARRIVED OVER THE DESTINATION AIRPORT, THE WINDS WERE REPORTED TO BE STRONG, GUSTY, AND MULTIDIRECTIONAL. A NUMBER OF WITNESSES REPORTED HEARING THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE OVERHEAD, FOLLOWED SHORTLY THEREAFTER BY THE SOUND OF THE IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN. THE AIRCRAFT WAS FOUND TO HAVE IMPACTED THE TERRAIN IN A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE, WITH IMPACT AND CRUSH ANGLES SHOWING THE AIRFRAME HAD A ROTATIONAL MOMENT TO THE LEFT AT THE TIME OF IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9577A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9577A-1992-12-23), registration cancelled 1992-12-23, S/N 19397 (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: 19397
- Airframe hours: 4719
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Konecki, John T
- Registered owner: Konecki, John T
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 11, 1991, 1 hours before
- Departed: 0S9, PORT TOWNSEND, WA
- Airport: S31, Lopez Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,400 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 230° at 25 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F

## 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 19920913036439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920913036439A), Sep 13, 1992: Cessna 170A, Lopez, WA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Indicates loss of control and stall in airport pattern. Severe gusty surface winds. Aircraft loading also a factor.

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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