# NTSB BFO93LA183: Cessna 170B, N8081A, Martinsburg, WV, September 22, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 22, 1993, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Martinsburg, WV - Coordinates: 39.460365, -77.970191 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4604&lon=-77.9702&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 25, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 8825 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA183 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8825/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA183 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT, THE RIGHT WING OF THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO RISE. THE PILOT SAID HE ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT WITH RIGHT AILERON AND RUDDER, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE AIRPLANE GROUNDLOOPED TO THE LEFT. THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE RIGHT WING WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE REPORTED. THE WIND WAS REPORTED AS FIVE KNOTS FROM 360 DEGREES MAGNETIC. ## Factual narrative On September 22, 1993, about 1430 hours eastern daylight time, N8081A, a Cessna 170B, was substantially damaged during landing at the Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport in Martinsburg, West Virginia. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight originated from Dulles International Airport, Washington, D.C., about 1350 hours, and was conducted under 14 CFR 91. The airplane was being operated by Armel Aviation, Ltd., Washington, D.C. The pilot stated that after touching down of runway 26 on all three landing gear, the right wing suddenly began to lift up. The pilot attempted to correct with right aileron and right rudder, but to no avail. The left wing contacted the ground, the airplane groundlooped to the left, and the right main landing gear collapsed. The right wing impacted the ground and the airplane came to rest off the left edge of the runway. No mechanical malfunctions were reported. The reported wind conditions at the airport about the time of the accident were 360 degrees at five knots. According to an FAA aviation safety inspector, the right main landing gear was separated and the right wing sustained substantial damage. An examination did not reveal evidence of any mechanical deficiencies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8081A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8081A), registered now, S/N 20933, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B - Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20933 - Airframe hours: 4102 - Engines: Continental O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Armel Aviation, Ltd - Registered owner: Cole, Diane P. & Young, John G - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 22, 1993, 64 hours before - Departed: IAD, DULLES AIRPORT, DC - Airport: MRB, Eastern West Va. Regional, runway 26, 7,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 756 total, 26 in this make and model, 654 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 5 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: MRB ## 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 19930922035949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930922035949A), Sep 22, 1993: Cessna 170B, Martinsburg, WV, Substantial damage. Wing lifted on rollout. Unable correct. Wing hit. Ground looped. Collapsed right main gear. Low tail wheel time. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.