# NTSB SEA98LA119: Cessna 170A, N1296D, Renton, WA, July 4, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 4, 1998, 12:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Renton, WA - Coordinates: 47.45985, -122.21009 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4599&lon=-122.2101&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 12, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42818 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA98LA119 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42818/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA119 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Failure to jettison the external load and downdrafts were factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, climb - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command - load jettison - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was cleared for a low approach to pick up a banner. The pilot stated that after the banner pick-up, he applied full power and performed the 'normal abrupt climb.' The pilot leveled the airplane at about 50 feet when it experienced an 'abnormal sink.' The pilot stated that he failed to release the banner and the airplane continued to lose altitude. The airplane collided with the ground hard on the main landing gear. The left main landing gear collapsed and the left wing contacted the ground. The pilot stated that the winds were shifting and that he might have encountered a downdraft. ## Factual narrative On July 4, 1998, at 1245 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 170A, N1296D, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 banner towing operation, collided with the terrain just after picking up a banner from the Renton Municipal Airport, Renton, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the airline transport pilot was not injured. The pilot reported that he was cleared by the tower for a low approach to pick up a banner. The pilot stated that after the banner pick-up, he applied full power and performed the "abrupt climb (normal procedure)." The pilot stated that he leveled the airplane at about 50 feet above ground level when the airplane experienced an "abnormal sink." The pilot failed to release the banner and the airplane continued to lose altitude. The airplane collided with the ground hard on the main landing gear. The left main landing gear collapsed and the left wing contacted the ground. The pilot stated that the winds were shifting and that he might have encountered a downdraft. A witness reported that he observed the airplane dive towards the ground in a steady descent. The witness stated that the airplane continued its descent with no pitch change and collided with the ground "square on the mains." The witness reported that the winds were variable and gusting. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1296D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1296D-2001-09-17), registration cancelled 2001-09-17, S/N 19872 (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: 19872 - Airframe hours: 4811 - Engines: Continental O-300D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: James W. Johnson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 1998, 2 hours before - Departed: RTN, RENTON, WA - Destination: YELM, WA - Airport: RNT, Renton Muni, runway 15, 5,379 × 200 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,349 total, 252 in this make and model, 1,882 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SEA, 4 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 19980704024479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980704024479A), Jul 4, 1998: Cessna 170A, Renton, WA, Substantial damage. Crashed shortly after picking up a banner. Gusty wind and turbulence in area. (.4)the pilot reported that he was cleared for a low approach to pick up a… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.