On August 12, 1987, a Cessna 170A (registration N9039A) operated by May, Richard B was involved in an aviation accident near Independence, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: undetermined. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a cross country flight, an aircraft experienced a sudden partial loss of engine power. The pilot attempted a 180-degree turn for an emergency landing but landed short in a field, where the aircraft bounced and nosed over. The cause of the engine failure remains undetermined as the engine was removed before examination.
Event Description
The pilot of an aircraft on a cross country flight reported a sudden partial loss of engine power while en route. In response, the pilot executed a 180-degree turn to attempt an emergency landing at a nearby airport. However, the pilot realized that the aircraft would be short of the runway and opted to land in an open field.
Landing Sequence
Upon touchdown in the field, the aircraft bounced several times and subsequently nosed over. The nose-over caused the aircraft to come to rest in a position with the nose on the ground.
Investigation and Cause
Before an official examination could be conducted, the engine was removed from the aircraft and transported to another state. This prevented a thorough determination of the reason for the power loss. The official finding states that the cause of the engine failure is undetermined.