Accident Sequence
During an attempted takeoff from a 2,100-foot turf-covered runway, a Cessna 170B veered to the right. The aircraft struck a runway light, crossed an unpaved access road, and then impacted the west side of a hangar located 1,200 feet from the approach end of the runway. According to witnesses, there did not appear to be any attempt by the pilot to stop or turn the airplane prior to the impact. The engine seemed to be producing full power, and the pilot could be seen sitting erect and looking straight ahead. Both the pilot and his passenger were seriously injured; the pilot was ejected during the impact sequence.
Aircraft Information
The accident airplane was a Cessna 170B that had been registered to the pilot since June 29, 1964. The aircraft had been modified after leaving the factory with a more powerful engine, a constant speed propeller, wing "fences," and a vertically adjustable pilot's seat from another airplane type. However, no information regarding these alterations was discovered in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records. No registration, certificate of airworthiness, engine maintenance log, propeller maintenance log, or pilot logbooks were discovered or provided to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) during the investigation.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of any preimpact malfunctions of the airplane. The NTSB did not receive a completed "Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1." The pilot and passenger had no recollection of the accident.