On January 24, 1991, a Cessna 170A (registration N1279D) operated by Caine, Alfred was involved in an aviation accident near Fort Myers, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: IN-FLIGHT ENCOUNTER WITH A DOWNDRAFT WHICH CAUSED THE AIRSPEED TO DECREASE BELOW VSO RESULTING IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
Shortly after takeoff at about 80 ft over trees, the pilot reported the airplane began to sink and the left wing stalled. It descended left wing low, colliding with trees and the ground. No engine failure or malfunction was reported.
Event Description
Shortly after takeoff, while at an altitude of about 80 feet over trees at the departure end of the runway, the pilot reported that the aircraft began to sink and the left wing stalled. The aircraft descended left wing low, collided with trees, and then struck the ground.
Pilot Statements
The pilot stated that there was no engine failure or malfunction and that the stall warning did not operate. He also stated that the high sink rate was due to a downdraft. A pilot-rated passenger reported that just prior to the wing stalling, he observed the airspeed indicator abruptly fall from 60 to 50 miles per hour. The stall speed in the aircraft configuration was reportedly 54 miles per hour.
Aircraft Configuration
The aircraft's stall speed in the configuration at the time was reported as 54 miles per hour. The airspeed indicator reading dropped below that threshold before the stall occurred.