# NTSB WPR19LA130: Cessna 170, N4567C, Prineville, OR, April 22, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 21, 2019, 18:45 local (Apr 22, 2019, 01:45 UTC) - Place: Prineville, OR - Coordinates: 44.190277, -120.820556 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1903&lon=-120.8206&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 99363 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR19LA130 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99363/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99363 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA130 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff with a crosswind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: recent experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031045): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031045/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031045/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 91 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); 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) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after a normal preflight, he proceeded to the runway and started the takeoff roll. Once the airplane’s tail lifted off the ground, the airplane pulled toward the left and continued to do so despite the pilot adding right rudder. He reduced the power to idle and attempted to stop the airplane; however, it exited the runway surface and impacted a tree substantially damaging the wings. The pilot had about 82 hours in make and model but only about 5 to 10 hours in the accident airplane, which had a more powerful engine than his previous airplane. Postaccident examination revealed there were no anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Wind reports shortly before and after the accident indicate a crosswind in relation to the takeoff runway. In addition, the accident airplane’s more powerful engine may have responded differently on takeoff than what the pilot was accustomed to. Despite these potential factors, the pilot ultimately did not maintain directional control during takeoff. ## Factual narrative On April 21, 2019, about 1845 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 170B, N4567C, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Dry Creek Airpark (OG21), Prineville, Oregon. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that after a normal preflight, he proceeded to runway 25 and started the takeoff roll. Once the airplane’s tail lifted off the ground, the airplane pulled toward the left. The pilot added right rudder, but the airplane continued to pull toward the left. He reduced the power to idle and attempted to stop the airplane; however, it exited the runway surface and impacted a tree substantially damaging the wings. The pilot also stated he had about 82 hours in make and model but only about 5 to 10 hours in the accident airplane since he recently purchased it. The pilot also said that the accident airplane had a more powerful 180 horsepower engine than his previous airplane (145 horsepower). During an examination of the airplane by a mechanic, the flight controls remained secured, were configured properly, and did not exhibit abnormal wear. In addition, the wheels rotated freely, and the brakes exhibited normal operating wear signatures. No anomalies were noted during the examination. The nearest weather reporting station was located about 6 miles to the north-northwest of the accident airport. About 10 minutes before the accident, the wind was reported from 010º at 8 knots; and about 10 minutes after the accident wind was reported from 360º at 8 knots gusting to 13 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4567C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4567C-2022-11-05), registration cancelled 2022-11-05, S/N 25511, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 170 (B) - Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25511 - Year built: 1953 - Airframe hours: 3294 - Engines: Lycoming O&VO-360 SER 180 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 19, 2018, 60 hours before - Departed: OG21, Prineville, OR - Destination: 6K5, Sisters, OR - Airport: OG21, Dry Creek Airpark, runway 25, 3,000 × 35 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 5, 2018; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 225 total, 82 in this make and model, 160 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 8 knots, gusting 13 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: S39, 7 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 20190421003189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190421003189A), Apr 21, 2019: Cessna 170B, Prineville, OR, Substantial damage. Preflight checklist was completed. Run up was completed and all systems found normal. Powered up for takeoff, once tail was up aircraft veered to the left and… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 23, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99363. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 747 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=8672676&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation - pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=8797079&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20Pilot-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation - mechanic (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=8795533&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20Mechanic-Rel.pdf - Record of email - NTSB meteorologist (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=8674067&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WX%20from%20specialist%20ROE-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 707 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9037991&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=wreckage%20release%20final%20signed_Redacted-Rel.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.