# NTSB SEA94LA146: Cessna 170A, N1389D, Wolf Creek, MT, June 12, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 12, 1994, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Wolf Creek, MT
- Coordinates: 47.07912, -112.169349 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0791&lon=-112.1693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41949
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41949/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA146

## Probable cause

POOR IN FLIGHT PLANNING. THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT JUST AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A GRASS STRIP, A CLIMBING LEFT TURN WAS INITIATED. DURING THE TURN, THE AIRPLANE DID NOT CLIMB SUFFICIENTLY TO CLEAR THE NEARBY TERRAIN. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN ON THE SIDE OF A HILL AND COLLIDED WITH TREES. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Factual narrative

On June 12, 1994, at 1600 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 170A, N1389D, collided with trees shortly after take off from a private airstrip near Wolf Creek, Montana.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot and his passenger were not injured.

The pilot reported that the ground roll and take off were under normal conditions with a quartering headwind from the left.  After the airplane became airborne, the pilot initiated a climbing left turn, however, the airplane did not climb sufficiently to clear the terrain, and the flight controls were not responding to the pilot's inputs.  The airplane completed a 180 degree turn and began to lose altitude.  The airplane touched down on the south bank of the creek where, during the landing roll, it collided with trees.  The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported that at the time of the accident, the temperature was 70 degrees, and the field elevation at the airstrip is 4,000 feet.  The Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Helena, Montana Flight Standards District Office, reported that the airstrip was dry and covered with approximately three foot tall grass.  The surrounding mountains are in close proximity to the airstrip and maneuverability is limited.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1389D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1389D-2014-09-05), registration cancelled 2014-09-05, S/N 19965, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170A
- Registry model: [Cessna 170A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170a) (registry code 2072304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 19965
- Airframe hours: 3503
- Engines: Continental O-300A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Schneider, Gregory M.
- Registered owner: Schneider, Gregory
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 13, 1993, 147 hours before
- Destination: 9S5, THREE FORKS, MT
- Airport: O'Connel Ranch, runway 27, 2,000 × 70 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 626 total, 332 in this make and model, 583 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 8 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19940612014949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940612014949A), Jun 12, 1994: Cessna 170A, Wolf Creek, MT, Substantial damage. Unable to outclimb rising terrain from farm strip. Landed on hillside. Struck trees.

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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