Casualties unknown

1992-09-02: Cessna 170B (N1737D) — Shawn E. Imboden — Ninilchik, AK

Ninilchik, AK, US

On September 2, 1992, a Cessna 170B (registration N1737D) operated by Shawn E. Imboden was involved in an aviation accident near Ninilchik, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE STUDENT PILOT ENTERED A LOW ALTITUDE STALL/MUSH DURING AN AIRDROP MANEUVER. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE LOW PASS MANEUVER, AND THE IMPROPER ALTITUDE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

A student pilot conducting a low-level newspaper drop to a hunting camp was seen making a left banking turn before the aircraft impacted the tundra. Witnesses reported normal engine sound at low power.

Accident Details

The accident occurred when a student pilot performed a low-level pass to drop newspapers to a hunting camp. After the pass, witnesses observed the aircraft executing a left banking turn. Moments later, they heard the sound of the aircraft impacting the tundra, which was out of sight from the camp.

Witness Observations

Witnesses reported that at the time of the air drop, the engine 'sounded normal, at low power.' The aircraft was seen banking left after the pass before the impact was heard. No further observations were provided regarding the aircraft's behavior after the turn.

Examination of Wreckage

Photographs and video of the wreckage reveal a steep nose-down crush pattern and damage to the left wing. Ground scars are consistent with a steep nose-down impact at low speed. The airplane wreckage rests in a normal position on its conventional landing gear, which is undamaged. Fuel was found in the tanks, indicating that fuel exhaustion was not a factor in the accident.

The source does not specify the aircraft type, registration, date, operator, location, number of occupants, injuries, or whether any fatalities occurred. No probable cause is stated in the source.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X15557. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.