# Accident 20200922014649A: Cessna 170B, Pottstown, PA, September 22, 2020

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 22, 2020, 06:00 local time
- Place: Pottstown, PA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.2399° N, 75.5560° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2399&lon=-75.5560&mi=10
- Aircraft: N2772D, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2772D-2022-03-15) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 170B (registry code 2072306, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental C145 series (registry code 17012, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR C145 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 5,752 total, 205 in this make and model, 95 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA20LA338](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA338) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200922014649A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 AT APPROXIMATELY 1220 LOCAL, N2772D VEERED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF RUNWAY 28 UPON LANDING AT KPTW. THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO THE PILOT OR PASSENGER HOWEVER THE AIRPLANE DID INCUR SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AND WAS DECLARED AN ACCIDENT.

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE WINDS WERE 8KTG15KTS @310 AND HE WAS IN COMPLETE CONTROL THE ENTIRE TIME UNTIL THE WHEELS TOUCHED DOWN AND EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN INTENSE CHANGE IN WIND SPEED AND DIRECTION CAUSING HIM TO VEER OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF RUNWAY 28. HE STATED THAT HE WAS COMFORTABLE WITH THE REPORTED WINDS AND HAS OVER 200 HOURS IN THAT PARTICULAR MAKE AND MODEL AIRCRAFT.

THE PILOT STATED THAT IN ORDER TO PREVENT THIS FROM OCCURRING IN THE FUTURE HE HAS ALREADY ARRANGED TO GO FLYING WITH MORE EXPERIENCED TAILWHEEL PILOTS SO THAT HE CAN REBUILD HIS  CONFIDENCE AND MAKE THE NECESSARY CORRECTIONS WHERE NEEDED.

THE PILOT WAS FORTHCOMING AND TRANSPARENT WITH ALL INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE INVESTIGATION. HE HAS BEEN COUNSELED ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SETTING PERSONAL MINIMUMS AND UNDERSTANDING HOW THEY MAY DIFFER BETWEEN CONVENTIONAL GEAR AND TRICYCLE GEAR AIRPLANES. HE HAS ALSO BEEN COUNSELED ON THE DANGERS OF WINDSHEAR AND HOW TO IDENTIFY IT AND ACT ACCORDINGLY.

IT WAS ALSO DETERMINED THAT PILOT WOULD BENEFIT FROM COMPLETING A FAASAFETY WINGS COURSE AND WATCHING A WEBINAR RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT AND HAS BEEN ASSIGNED THE FOLLOWING COURSES: ALC-34: MANEUVERING: APPROACH AND LANDING; AND "STAY OUT OF TAILWHEEL STATISTICS- A YEARLY ACCIDENT REVIEW SO FAR."

INVESTIGATION PTRS: 202003438

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA20LA338](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA338), Sep 22, 2020: Cessna 170 (N2772D), Pottstown, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusty, shifting wind conditions.

## Other reports on N2772D (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19750927034909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19750927034909A), Sep 27, 1975: Cessna 170B (N2772D), Cascade Locks, OR, Substantial damage. Foreign matter not identified.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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