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NTSB Report
April 24, 1989 · Cessna 170 · N4409V
Orwell, OH
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 24, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Orwell, OH
Aircraft
Cessna 170
Tail Number
N4409V
Operator
Paul Hatala
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL89LA136
THE PLT BEGAN TO TAKE OFF FROM HIS PRIVATE STRIP, WHICH WAS ABOUT 1300' LONG. A PORTION OF THE STRIP HAD RECENTLY BEEN PLOWED & WAS SOFT. RPRTDLY, THE ACFT BEGAN TO DECELERATED DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL & DID NOT ATTAIN SUFFICIENT SPEED TO CLEAR A FENCE AT THE END OF THE STRIP. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR SNAGGED A WIRE & THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER HIT A FENCE POST. THE ACFT CLEARED A 2ND FENCE, BUT HIT A 3RD FENCE. IT THEN LANDED, BUT ENCTRD SOFT TERRAIN & SUBSEQUENTLY NOSED OVER.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S DECISION TO TAKEOFF ON UNSUITABLE TERRAIN, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS INABILITY TO ATTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED TO CLEAR THE FENCE(S) NEAR THE END OF THE RUNWAY. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE SOFT RUNWAY/TERRAIN CONDITIONS & THE FENCE.
Full Narrative
THE PLT BEGAN TO TAKE OFF FROM HIS PRIVATE STRIP, WHICH WAS ABOUT 1300' LONG. A PORTION OF THE STRIP HAD RECENTLY BEEN PLOWED & WAS SOFT. RPRTDLY, THE ACFT BEGAN TO DECELERATED DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL & DID NOT ATTAIN SUFFICIENT SPEED TO CLEAR A FENCE AT THE END OF THE STRIP. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR SNAGGED A WIRE & THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER HIT A FENCE POST. THE ACFT CLEARED A 2ND FENCE, BUT HIT A 3RD FENCE. IT THEN LANDED, BUT ENCTRD SOFT TERRAIN & SUBSEQUENTLY NOSED OVER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 EDT
Nearest AirportPrivate Strip (0nm N)
Runway13
Runway Length1300 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 170
Tail NumberN4409V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPaul Hatala
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-145 · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO