# NTSB ANC93LA139: Cessna 170, N3271A, Northway, AK, August 8, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1993, 13:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Northway, AK
- Coordinates: 62.999534, -141.690872 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.9995&lon=-141.6909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2398
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93LA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2398/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA139

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATING FOR THE VARIABLE WIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

BASED ON THE WINDS THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND RECEIVED FROM THE FLIGHT SERVICE STATION HE LINED UP TO LAND ON RUNWAY 22.  ON SHORT FINAL THE CRAB ANGLE HE WAS USING TO CORRECT FOR THE WIND WAS NO LONGER NEEDED AND THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO SETTLE. HE APPLIED POWER, LOOKED AT THE WINDSOCK AND NOTICED AN INDICATION OF THE WIND FROM THE NORTH.  THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT AND UPON TOUCHDOWN THE RIGHT WING CAME UP.  THE AIRPLANE DRIFTED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND CRASHED INTO SOME TREES AND BRUSH.

## Factual narrative

On August 8, 1993, at 1315 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 170 airplane, N3271A, registered to and operated by the Pilot-in-Command, crashed while landing during gusty wind conditions at the Northway Airport, Northway, Alaska.  The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, and the destination was Northway.  A visual flight rules flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The Private Certificated Pilot-in-Command and his passenger were not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged.

According to the Pilot-in-Command during a telephone interview he stated that he was given the winds as 20 knots and variable from 210 to 300 degrees.  He lined up on runway 22 and the airplane was flying with an estimated 20 degree crab angle.  On short final the airplane began to settle and the crab angle was no longer needed.  The Pilot-in-Command stated he added some power and looked at the wind sock which now indicated a wind from the north.  At touchdown the right wing came up while the airplane continued to drift to the left.  The airplane drifted off the left side of the runway and struck some trees and brush.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3271A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3271A), registered now, S/N 25915, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170
- Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25915
- Airframe hours: 2834
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-B-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Getty, Harold T.
- Registered owner: Harold T. Getty
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1993, 29 hours before
- Departed: CYXY, WHITEHORSE
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: ORT, Northway, runway 22, 6,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 365 total, 184 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 36 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 11 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORT

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19930808027969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930808027969A), Aug 8, 1993: Cessna 170, Northway, AK, Substantial damage. Drifted off runway landing in gusty crosswind. Struck trees. Crosswind component exceeded.

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.

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