N1316D

Substantial
Serious

Cessna 170AS/N: 19892

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, June 24, 2007
NTSB Number
SEA07CA179
Location
Bozeman, MT
Event ID
20070723X01002
Coordinates
45.682498, -110.802780
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
1
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
3

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent into terrain while manuevering to avoid the transmission lines. The sun glare was a factor.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N1316D
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
19892
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1951
Model / ICAO
170AC170
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
BEAL DON H
Address
PO BOX 312
Status
Deregistered
City
PLUMMER
State / Zip Code
ID 83851-0312
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot reported that he was flying the airplane over a family member's ranch in a low-altitude, slow flight configuration. He proceeded northbound attempting to regain airspeed when he noticed transmission lines that had previously been visually obstructed to him by the sun. The pilot pulled back on the control yoke attempting to avoid the lines, but the airplane stalled and descended uncontrolled to the ground. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical abnormalities to preclude normal operation of the airplane prior to the accident.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA07CA179