# NTSB BFO89LA025: Cessna 170A, N9187A, Ravenswood, WV, March 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 23, 1989, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Ravenswood, WV
- Coordinates: 38.900444, -81.809967 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9004&lon=-81.8100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11494
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89LA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11494/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA025

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS DECISION TO LAND WITH A TAILWIND AND INADEQUATELY COMPENSATING FOR THE 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
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE WINDS WERE FROM THE EAST AND THE AIRPORT UNICOM REPORTED LOCAL TRAFFIC WAS USING RUNWAY 03. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE DECIDED TO USE RUNWAY 21. UPON TOUCHDOWN THE PILOT LOST CONTROL AND THE AIRPLANE GROUNDLOOPED. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE BY AN FAA INSPECTOR DISCLOSED NO PRECRASH FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9187A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9187A), registered now, S/N 18948, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170A
- Registry model: [Cessna 170A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170a) (registry code 2072304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18948
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William F. Meese
- Registered owner: Evelyn Meese
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BMG, BLOOMINGTON, IN
- Airport: I18, Jackson Co., runway 3, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 280 total, 158 in this make and model, 214 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HIT, 2 nm away

## 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 19890323004929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890323004929A), Mar 23, 1989: Cessna 170A, Ravenswood, WV, Substantial damage. Landed downwind. Lost control. Ground looped. Quartering tailwind. Unskilled in tail draggers.

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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