Cessna 170B accident near Hampton, New Hampshire, September 4, 2006
On September 4, 2006 at about 10:07 pm local time, a Cessna 170B, registered N1857C, was substantially damaged in an accident near Hampton, New Hampshire (Hampton Airfield). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 4, 2006 · about 10:07 pm local time
- Place
- Hampton, New Hampshire · Hampton Airfield · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 170B · all 170Bs on the register
- Registration
- N1857C · registry record · serial 26001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During an attempted takeoff from a 2,100-foot turf covered runway, a Cessna 170B veered to the right, 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. It did not appear that there was 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. The pilot was ejected during the impact sequence and both the pilot and his passenger were seriously injured. During the wreckage examination no evidence of any preimpact malfunctions of the airplane were discovered. The airplane had been registered to the pilot since June 29, 1964, and had been modified after leaving the factory. A more powerful engine, constant speed propeller, wing "fences," and vertically adjustable pilot's seat, from another airplane type, had been installed; however, no information regarding any alterations to the accident airplane were 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 during the investigation. No "Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1" was received and the pilot and passenger had no recollection of the accident.
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: 1,800 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,552.9 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 1, 2006
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-L2A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 7B3 Hampton NH at 10:07 pm
- Destination: ASH Nashua NH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 2, 2,100 ft by 170 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,500 ft
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 5:55 pm from PSM, 6 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.
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.