# NTSB WPR21LA307: Cessna 170A, N5459C, Metaline Falls, WA, August 6, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 6, 2021, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Metaline Falls, WA · 2180 ft northeast of center of Metaline Falls Airport (09S), Metaline Falls, Washington - Coordinates: 48.845747, -117.27904 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.8457&lon=-117.2790&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 103650 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA307 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103650/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA307 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to attain sufficient altitude during the initial climb to clear trees due to an encounter with windshear. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: windshear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 90 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during takeoff initial climb, as the airplane passed over the departure end of the runway, it stopped climbing and started to sink. The pilot thought it was windshear and initiated a right turn to avoid trees, while lowering the nose to regain airspeed. The airplane subsequently descended into trees and terrain. The fuselage was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5459C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5459C), registered now, S/N 19493, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 170A - Registry model: [Cessna 170A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170a) (registry code 2072304) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 19493 - Year built: 1950 - Airframe hours: 2585 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 2021, 17 hours before - Departed: 09S, Metaline Falls, WA - Destination: DEW, Deer Park, WA - Airport: 09S, Sullivan Lake State, runway 34, 1,765 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 23, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 22,000 total, 177 in this make and model, 17,500 as pilot in command, 210 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: K63S, 35 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 20210806013469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210806013469A), Aug 6, 2021: Cessna 170A, Metaline Falls, WA, Substantial damage. Aircraft departed grass runway with uphill slope into the wind. Aircraft was not able to maintain sufficient rate of climb to clear trees resulting in striking… ## Other investigations on N5459C (2) 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 CHI70D0303](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI70D0303), Oct 18, 1969: Cessna 170 (N5459C), Muncie, IN, substantial damage - [NTSB DIA68D0124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA68D0124), Dec 3, 1967: Cessna 170A (N5459C), Elizabethtown, NC, 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. --- 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.