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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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January 24, 1991 · Cessna 170A · N1279D

Fort Myers, FL

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 24, 1991
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 minor injuries)
Location
Fort Myers, FL
Aircraft
Cessna 170A
Tail Number
N1279D
Operator
Caine Alfred
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA91LA072

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AT AN ALT OF ABOUT 80 FT WHILE OVER TREES AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY, THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ACFT BEGAN TO SINK & THE LT WING STALLED. THE ACFT DESCENDED LT WING LOW COLLIDED WITH TREES THEN THE GROUND. THE PLT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO ENG FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION & THE STALL WARNING DID NOT OPERATE. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE HIGH SINK RATE WAS DUE TO A DOWNDRAFT. THE PLT RATED PASSENGER STATED THAT JUST PRIOR TO THE WING STALLING, HE OBSERVED THE AIRSPEED INDICATOR ABRUPTLY FELL FROM 60-50 MPH. THE STALL SPEED IN THE ACFT CONFIGURATION WAS REPORTEDLY 54 MPH.

NTSB Probable Cause

IN-FLIGHT ENCOUNTER WITH A DOWNDRAFT WHICH CAUSED THE AIRSPEED TO DECREASE BELOW VSO RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH.

Full Narrative

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AT AN ALT OF ABOUT 80 FT WHILE OVER TREES AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY, THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ACFT BEGAN TO SINK & THE LT WING STALLED. THE ACFT DESCENDED LT WING LOW COLLIDED WITH TREES THEN THE GROUND. THE PLT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO ENG FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION & THE STALL WARNING DID NOT OPERATE. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE HIGH SINK RATE WAS DUE TO A DOWNDRAFT. THE PLT RATED PASSENGER STATED THAT JUST PRIOR TO THE WING STALLING, HE OBSERVED THE AIRSPEED INDICATOR ABRUPTLY FELL FROM 60-50 MPH. THE STALL SPEED IN THE ACFT CONFIGURATION WAS REPORTEDLY 54 MPH.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 EST
Nearest AirportTuckers Corner (0nm N)
Runway5
Runway Length1850 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 170A
Tail NumberN1279D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCaine Alfred
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300A · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor3
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 37 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:50
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data