# NTSB SEA95LA150: Cessna 170B, N3165B, Afton, WY, July 17, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1995, 08:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Afton, WY
- Coordinates: 42.720829, -110.920173 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7208&lon=-110.9202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42192
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42192/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA150

## Probable cause

DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION AND A STALL NOT IDENTIFIED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - not identified, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)
  - object - fence post

## Analysis

DURING A STUDENT SOLO FLIGHT, THE PILOT ENTERED THE PATTERN TO PRACTICE TOUCH-AND-GO LANDINGS. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS A LITTLE HIGH ON FINAL APPROACH AND THE AIRPLANE FLOATED WHEN OVER THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE'S ANGLE OF ATTACK INCREASED AND THE PILOT OPTED TO GO-AROUND. WHEN FULL POWER WAS ADDED, THE AIRPLANE DRIFTED TO THE LEFT AND THE LEFT WING DROPPED, CONTACTING THE GROUND AND A FENCE POST. THE AIRPLANE THEN SEMI-CARTWHEELED TO A STOP.

## Factual narrative

On July 17, 1995, at 0800 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 170B, N3165B, collided with a fence post during a go-around attempt at the Afton Airport, Afton, Wyoming.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.

During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that this was the first touch-and-go of the flight.  The pilot stated that he was a little high on final approach and that the airplane floated when over the runway.  The pilot stated "I waited and for some reason the nose floated up more."  The pilot did not think that he had sufficient runway remaining to land, and opted to add power to go-around.  When the pilot added full power, the airplane drifted to the left and the left wing dropped, contacting the ground and a fence post.  The airplane then semi-cartwheeled to a stop.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3165B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3165B-2018-03-13), registration cancelled 2018-03-13, S/N 25407, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B
- Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25407
- Airframe hours: 4320
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mark Heiner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 21, 1995, 77 hours before
- Airport: AFO, Afton Muni, runway 34, 4,680 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 23 total, 23 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19950717024689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950717024689A), Jul 17, 1995: Cessna 170B, Afton, WY, Substantial damage. Floated on landing. Began belated go around drifted left due torque. Wing hit ground. Aircraft cartwheeled.

## Other investigations on N3165B (1)

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 FTW72DRJ16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW72DRJ16), Dec 4, 1971: Cessna 170B (N3165B), Tallulah, LA, 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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