# NTSB SEA96LA030: Cessna 170B, N3171B, John Day, OR, December 16, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 16, 1995, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: John Day, OR
- Coordinates: 44.420253, -118.940261 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4203&lon=-118.9403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42317
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42317/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA030

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER GLIDEPATH.

## Analysis

THE OWNER WAS FLYING FROM THE RIGHT SEAT, DEMONSTRATING THE AIRPLANE TO THE LEFT SEAT PASSENGER/CFI FOR A POSSIBLE SALE. HE ESTABLISHED A NORMAL APPROACH FOR A LANDING, BUT IMPACTED THE GROUND ABOUT 150 FEET SHORT OF THE THRESHOLD.

## Factual narrative

On December 16, 1995, approximately 1200 Pacific standard time, N3171B, a Cessna 170B, sustained substantial damage when it landed short of runway 16 at John Day, Oregon.  The commercial pilot and his pilot-rated passenger were uninjured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, which was conducted under 14 CFR 91.  There was no report of the ELT actuating.

The pilot stated that he was in the right seat of the airplane, and was demonstrating it to the passenger, who was a certificated flight instructor, for possible sale, when he misjudged his approach.

In his written statement, the pilot stated that his takeoff climb, pattern turns and descent on final were normal.  He was holding an indicated airspeed of 65 mph with very little fluctuation.  The glide was good for a touchdown approximately 200 feet past the runway end, when a downdraft was encountered approximately 50 feet above the ground.  The next thing he remembered was impacting the ground.  The impact was on flat well-cleared, unobstructed terrain approximately 150 feet short of the threshold.  He stated that light winds were favoring runway 16.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3171B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3171B-2018-04-19), registration cancelled 2018-04-19, S/N 25413, 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: [Lycoming 0-340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-340-series) (registry code 41510, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25413
- Airframe hours: 5000
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Douglas M. Ferguson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 9, 1995, 269 hours before
- Departed: 5J0
- Destination: 5J0
- Airport: 5J0, John Day State, runway 16, 4,500 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 2,505 total, 953 in this make and model, 2,381 as pilot in command, 77 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 27 °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 19951216040759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951216040759A), Dec 16, 1995: Cessna 170B, John Day, OR, Substantial damage. Misjudged approach. Landed short of runway. Blamed sudden downdraft. Light wind existed.

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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