Accident Cessna 170B N4510C, Tuesday 17 May 1988

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Date:	Tuesday 17 May 1988
Time:	12:45 LT
Type:	Cessna 170B
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N4510C
MSN:	25454
Year of manufacture:	1952
Total airframe hrs:	3435 hours
Engine model:	Continental C-145-2
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Bayard, NE - United States of America
Phase:	En route
Nature:	Executive
Departure airport:	Farmington, NM
Destination airport:	Williston, ND (KISN)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
THE PILOT STATED THAT HE STARTED THE TRIP, FROM NEW MEXICO TO NORTH DAKOTA, THE EVENING PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. BECAUSE OF POOR WEATHER, THE PILOT RE-ROUTED THE FLIGHT THROUGH SEVERAL ALTERNATE FUEL AND OIL STOPS. THE FLIGHT WAS EN ROUTE TO A PLANNED FUEL STOP WHEN THE ENGINE LOST OIL PRESSURE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS TOO FAR FROM A SUITABLE AIRPORT AND THE PILOT WAS FORCED TO LAND ON A HIGHWAY. THE PILOT SECURED A RIDE TO THE NEAREST TOWN AND PURCHASED OIL. AFTER ADDING OIL TO THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE HE ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF FROM THE HIGHWAY--AFTER GOING WITHOUT SLEEP FOR ALMOST 30 HOURS. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A SPEED LIMIT SIGN ON THE EDGE OF THE HIGHWAY WITH ITS RIGHT WING. THE PILOT THEN LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND THE AIRCRAFT SWERVED INTO A DITCH.

Probable Cause:

Accident investigation: