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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

May 6, 1996 · Cessna 170B · N3193B

Palmer, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 6, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Palmer, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 170B
Tail Number
N3193B
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ANC96LA070

The pilot stated that during takeoff he applied two notches of flap because the first notch did not work. As he was climbing out, the airplane began to settle and he applied full flaps. The airplane struck the tops of the trees and crashed to the ground. The pilot had surrendered his student pilot certificate, which did not have any endorsements for solo flight or operations in tailwheel airplanes, three weeks prior to the accident flight.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff.

Full Narrative

On May 6, 1996, at 1400 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 170B airplane, N3193B, registered to and operated by the pilot, crashed after takeoff from a private airstrip located near the Valley Baptist School in Palmer, Alaska. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, was departing the airstrip and the destination was Lake Creek, Alaska. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The non certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured and the airplane was destroyed by postimpact fire. During a telephone conversation with the FAA Flight Standards District Office Inspector, who interviewed the pilot, he stated that the pilot had voluntarily surrendered his student pilot certificate on April 19, 1996. There were no endorsements for solo flight or for operations in tailwheel airplanes. The FAA Inspector stated the pilot indicated he had 750 pounds of groceries on board the airplane. He was transporting the groceries to the store at Lake Creek, whose owners were reimbursing him for the cost of his fuel. The pilot stated he used 2 notches of flap for takeoff because the first notch of flaps did not work. After lift-off he encountered turbulence and the airplane began to settle. He applied the third notch of flaps, the full flap position, and the airplane continued to descend. The airplane crashed in the driveway of a nearby home. According to the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot indicated that there is a 150 foot high hill off the end of the airstrip and left of the centerline. As he was climbing out and downwind of the hill, he felt the airplane start to settle. At this point the pilot stated he applied full flaps. After the accident he noticed "dust devils" swirling around the parking ramp at the departure end of the airstrip. The pilot stated there were no mechanical difficulties with the airplane during the takeoff.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 AKDT
Nearest AirportPrivate Owned Airstrip (0nm)
Runway27
Runway Length1600 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 170B
Tail NumberN3193B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300 · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 6 kt, gusting 8 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data