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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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March 30, 1987 · Beech A36 · N6170U

Dalton, GA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 30, 1987
Injury Outcomes
5 injuries (2 serious injuries, 3 minor injuries)
Location
Dalton, GA
Aircraft
Beech A36
Tail Number
N6170U
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL87FA101

ON T/O AT 1ST POWER CHANGE PIC NOTED LOSS OF PERFORMANCE. HE TURNED LEFT TO DOWNWIND LEG FOR LANDING. PIC AND GROUND WITNESSES SAID ENG QUIT AND ACFT CRASHED INTO TREES AND GROUND. POST CRASH FIRE DESTROYED ACFT. PIC RPTED TAKING FUEL SAMPLE BEFORE T/O WITH NO WATER CONTAMINATION NOTED. ACFT WAS FUELED TWICE AT ARPT VISITED AND FLEW AFTER 1ST FUELING. AFTER 2ND FUELING ACFT SAT UNCOVERED DURING SEVERAL HOURS OF HARD RAIN. ACFT LOG SAID FUEL CAP SEALS REPLACED 5 MONTHS PRIOR. ANALYSIS OF FUEL FROM ARPT SHOWED NO WATER IN FUEL. DROPLETS OF WATER FOUND IN FUEL TRUCK FILTER. ENG EXAMINATION REVEALED WATER DAMAGE TO PISTONS, CYLINDERS AND SPARK PLUGS. THE PLTS FLT TIME WAS NOT REPORTED OR AVAILABLE.

Full Narrative

ON T/O AT 1ST POWER CHANGE PIC NOTED LOSS OF PERFORMANCE. HE TURNED LEFT TO DOWNWIND LEG FOR LANDING. PIC AND GROUND WITNESSES SAID ENG QUIT AND ACFT CRASHED INTO TREES AND GROUND. POST CRASH FIRE DESTROYED ACFT. PIC RPTED TAKING FUEL SAMPLE BEFORE T/O WITH NO WATER CONTAMINATION NOTED. ACFT WAS FUELED TWICE AT ARPT VISITED AND FLEW AFTER 1ST FUELING. AFTER 2ND FUELING ACFT SAT UNCOVERED DURING SEVERAL HOURS OF HARD RAIN. ACFT LOG SAID FUEL CAP SEALS REPLACED 5 MONTHS PRIOR. ANALYSIS OF FUEL FROM ARPT SHOWED NO WATER IN FUEL. DROPLETS OF WATER FOUND IN FUEL TRUCK FILTER. ENG EXAMINATION REVEALED WATER DAMAGE TO PISTONS, CYLINDERS AND SPARK PLUGS. THE PLTS FLT TIME WAS NOT REPORTED OR AVAILABLE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:36 EST
Nearest AirportDalton Muni Airport (5nm ESE)
Runway14
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech A36
Tail NumberN6170U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-B8 · Reciprocating · 285
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury Summary5 injuries (2 serious injuries, 3 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor3
Uninjured0
Total5
Crew 1Age 37 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 2 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 61 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time14:26
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data