Q&A on the News
Q: In a recent AJC article regarding a plane crash that killed four members of a Georgia family, the plane was listed as a 1948 Cessna 170. That’s quite an old plane. Would that be typical? There sure aren’t many 1948 autos on the road.
—Nancy Sibly, Atlanta
A: There are lots of old aircraft flying in general aviation, Joe Kildea, spokesman for the Maryland-based Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, told Q&A on the News.
“Also, unlike cars, certified aircraft, like the Cessna 170, undergo annual inspections and the engines are on an overhaul schedule – basically they are taken very good care of and are systematically looked at very closely,” he wrote in an email. “On the other hand, these regulations on certified aircraft also limit the installation of safe and proven technology, an issue we have been working on and are seeing some recent improvements.”
In February 1948, two prototype Cessna 170s were built, according to aopa.org.
In June 1948, the Cessna 170 received certification from the FAA as a normal category airplane and sales began that year.
Nathan and Laura Enders, and their sons, Jaden and Eli, died in an April 2017 crash in Williston, Fla., the AJC previously reported. The 1948 Cessna 170 was registered to Nathan Enders. The Georgia family lived in Williamson, located southwest of Griffin.
Fast Copy News Service wrote this column. Do you have a question? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
