# NTSB WPR13CA282: Cessna 170B, N170CW, Rawlins, WY, June 23, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 23, 2013, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Rawlins, WY - Coordinates: 41.805557, -107.199996 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8056&lon=-107.2000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 21, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA DEN FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 87271 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA282 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87271/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87271 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA282 ## Probable cause The pilot’s delayed decision to abort the takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and a high density altitude, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: performance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the takeoff, the tail wheel lifted off, but the airplane would not climb out of ground effect. He stated that he used all of the runway length, and did not reduce power in time to abort the takeoff. The airplane departed the runway surface into rough terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the rudder, horizontal stabilizer, and both elevators. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. He indicated that he was based at a sea level airport, and did not take into account the high density altitude (8,600 feet), which affected the airplane’s performance. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the takeoff, the tail wheel lifted off, but the airplane would not climb out of ground effect. He stated that he used all of the runway length, and did not reduce power in time to abort the takeoff. The airplane departed the runway surface into rough terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the rudder, horizontal stabilizer, and both elevators. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. He indicated that he was based at a sea level airport, and did not take into account the high density altitude (8,600 feet), which affected the airplane’s performance. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N170CW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N170CW), registered now, S/N 20411, 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: 20411 - Airframe hours: 3097 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C145 SERIES 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Hohmann Courtney P - Registered owner: Hohmann Courtney P - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 4, 2013 - Departed: RWL, Rawlins, WY - Destination: 3U2, Johnson Creek, ID - Airport: RWL, Rawlins, runway 04, 7,008 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 4, 2013; seat: left; flight hours: 1,068 total, 206 in this make and model, 876 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: KRWL ## 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 20130623010849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130623010849A), Jun 23, 2013: Cessna 170B, Rawlins, WY, Substantial damage. On 06/23/2013 at approx 1545LCL N170CW sustained subtantial damage while attempting to take off from Rawlins WY airport (krwl) 2 soles on board no injuries.… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 12, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87271. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40400641&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.