On November 4, 1990, a Cessna 170 (registration N4023V) operated by Torregrosa, Antonio was involved in an aviation accident near Patillas, PR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE ACCIDENT WAS FAILURE OF THE NON CERTIFICATED PILOT TO LOWER THE FLAPS TO THE CORRECT POSITION FOR TAKEOFF AND FAILURE TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF DUE TO INSUFFICIENT ACCELERATION. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot without a certificate attempted a takeoff with insufficient airspeed and runway length, resulting in the main landing gear striking a fence and the aircraft crashing into a field.
Pilot Background
The pilot did not hold a pilot certificate. He stated that he had accumulated approximately 30 hours of flight time in the same make and model of aircraft but had not received formal training in that type. Review of his logbook revealed that he had logged approximately 40 flight hours over the previous 17 years, with the most recent entry dated 9 years and 4 months prior to the accident.
Takeoff Attempt
The takeoff was conducted on a 2,000-foot runway with 10 degrees of flaps deployed. During the ground roll, the pilot noted that it took longer than usual to raise the tail. Approximately three-quarters of the way down the runway, he recognized that the airspeed was insufficient to become airborne and that there was not enough remaining runway to stop. Despite this, he continued the takeoff.
Accident Sequence
The main landing gear collided with a fence at the departure end of the runway. The aircraft then crashed into a field. No engine failure or malfunction occurred. According to the owner's manual, full flaps (30 degrees) should be used for the shortest takeoff distance.