Cessna 170B N4520C

Summary

On 1 September 1997 at about 22:45 local time, a Cessna 170B registered N4520C, operated by Erin K. Bashaw, was involved in an accident near Paxson, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 September 1997 at 22:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Paxson, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

63.7006, -144.8902

Aircraft

Cessna 170B

Registration

N4520C

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Erin K. Bashaw

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Girdwood

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC97LA139

2 people were seriously injured.

The pilot's improper use of carburetor heat during a takeoff in carburetor icing conditions. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's decision to operate the airplane with known deficiencies (a disabled stall warning horn), an inadvertent stall, and the presence of carburetor icing conditions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane was departing from the 3,500 feet msl airstrip in what the pilot described as 'optimum carb ice conditions' of 40 degrees F with 'lots of moisture.' The carburetor heat control was 'off' for takeoff. At 50 feet above ground level on climb out, the pilot applied carburetor heat and 'the engine died.' She deselected carburetor heat, the engine began to run rough, and the airplane began to lose altitude. When the pilot began a left turn to avoid trees, the left wing and nose dropped, and the airplane impacted terrain. The electric stall warning had been disconnected.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.