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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

September 20, 1987 · Cessna 170B · N473CJ

Washington, IN

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 20, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Washington, IN
Aircraft
Cessna 170B
Tail Number
N473CJ
Operator
John Vanwinkle
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI87LA216

THE PILOT WAS LANDING THE AIRCRAFT, AFTER RETURNING FROM A PERSONAL CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT, WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED A CROSSWIND GUST AND 'VEERED STRONGLY TO THE RIGHT.' THE PILOT THEN DECIDED TO ABORT THE LANDING AND PROCEEDED TO ADD FULL POWER FOR A GO-AROUND. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE GUST OF WIND WAS 'PUSHING' THE AIRCRAFT INTO THE TREES AT THE EAST END OF THE FIELD AND IN AN ATTEMPT TO MISS THE TREES HE PULLED BACK ON THE YOKE. THE AIRCRAFT CLEARED THE TREES BUT JUST AS IT PASSED OVER THE TREE LINE, THE AIRCRAFT STALLED TO THE RIGHT. THE PILOT STATED HE APPLIED LEFT RUDDER AND LOWERED THE NOSE BUT THE AIRCRAFT ATTEMPTED TO ROLL INVERTED AND IMPACTED THE GROUND WITH THE LEFT WING FIRST, CART-WHEELING THE AIRCRAFT IN A CORN FIELD.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT WAS LANDING THE AIRCRAFT, AFTER RETURNING FROM A PERSONAL CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT, WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED A CROSSWIND GUST AND 'VEERED STRONGLY TO THE RIGHT.' THE PILOT THEN DECIDED TO ABORT THE LANDING AND PROCEEDED TO ADD FULL POWER FOR A GO-AROUND. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE GUST OF WIND WAS 'PUSHING' THE AIRCRAFT INTO THE TREES AT THE EAST END OF THE FIELD AND IN AN ATTEMPT TO MISS THE TREES HE PULLED BACK ON THE YOKE. THE AIRCRAFT CLEARED THE TREES BUT JUST AS IT PASSED OVER THE TREE LINE, THE AIRCRAFT STALLED TO THE RIGHT. THE PILOT STATED HE APPLIED LEFT RUDDER AND LOWERED THE NOSE BUT THE AIRCRAFT ATTEMPTED TO ROLL INVERTED AND IMPACTED THE GROUND WITH THE LEFT WING FIRST, CART-WHEELING THE AIRCRAFT IN A CORN FIELD.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 EDT
Nearest AirportDaviess Company (0nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length4800 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 170B
Tail NumberN473CJ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJohn Vanwinkle
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-145-2 · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 40 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 10 kt, gusting 18 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data