Cessna 170B accident near Deming, New Mexico, May 5, 1989
On May 5, 1989 at about 12:15 pm local time, a Cessna 170B, registered N3475D, was substantially damaged in an accident near Deming, New Mexico. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND COLLISION WITH THE TERRAIN. THE LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF AIRCRAFT IS CONSIDERED TO BE A FACTOR.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 5, 1989 · about 12:15 pm local time
- Place
- Deming, New Mexico
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 170B · all 170Bs on the register
- Registration
- N3475D · no longer on the register · serial 27018
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PRIVATE PLT WAS TAKING OFF TO THE WEST, AT HIS FARM STRIP, A 4,000 X 80 FOOT DIRT STRIP, WITH CALM WINDS. HE STATED THAT HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND THE ACFT STRUCK A FURROW ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STRIP. THE ACFT BOUNCED INTO THE AIR, BUT ACCORDING TO THE PLT, DID NOT HAVE FLYING SPEED. THE PLT SAID THERE WERE TREES DIRECTLY IN THE FLIGHT PATH, SO HE ATTEMPTED A SHALLOW LEFT TURN. THE PLT STATED THAT DURING THE TURN, THE LEFT WING STRUCK MORE FURROWS AND THE ACFT CARTWHEELED.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 369 hours in all; 11 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 11, 1989; 11 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE at 12:15 pm
- Destination: 5T6 Santa Teresa NM
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 4,000 ft by 80 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N3475D the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.