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NTSB Report
May 19, 2012 · Cessna 170B · N170ED
Winterville, NC
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 19, 2012
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Winterville, NC
Aircraft
Cessna 170B
Tail Number
N170ED
Operator
Highsmith Alfred C
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA12CA344
The pilot reported that he was participating in a "bean bag drop" competition at the airfield. He was flying from the left seat while his right-seat passenger was to drop the bean bag onto the target. He overflew the runway at 70 feet above the ground and banked right to see where the bean bag landed. There was a left-to-right crosswind that pushed him farther right than anticipated. As the airplane approached tall trees at the edge of the airfield, the pilot banked further right to avoid them. The airplane stalled, descended, and collided with the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
NTSB Probable Cause
Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Lateral/bank control-Capability exceeded - C
Full Narrative
The pilot reported that he was participating in a "bean bag drop" competition at the airfield. He was flying from the left seat while his right-seat passenger was to drop the bean bag onto the target. He overflew the runway at 70 feet above the ground and banked right to see where the bean bag landed. There was a left-to-right crosswind that pushed him further right than anticipated. As he approached tall trees at the edge of the airfield, he banked further right to avoid them. The airplane stalled and continued to sink until it collided with the ground. Structural damage to the fuselage and wings resulted. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane during the accident sequence.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 EDT
Nearest AirportSouth Oak Aerodrome (1nm)
Runway07
Runway Length1850 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 170B
Tail NumberN170ED
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHighsmith Alfred C
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · C145 SERIES · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 55 · Third Class · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 50
Altimeter30.11 inHg
Observation Time17:35
Weather SourceWFAC