# NTSB CHI92LA087: Cessna 170, N432W, Howell, MI, February 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 2, 1992, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Howell, MI
- Location: 42.6081° N, 83.9343° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Howell, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6081&lon=-83.9343&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15392
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15392/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA087

## Probable cause

DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS NOT MAINTAINED BY THE PILOT. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: A CROSS WIND.

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WHILE LANDING ON RUNWAY 31 WITH A CROSSWIND FROM 240 DEGREES IN EXCESS OF 12 KNOTS. THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N432W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N432W-2019-11-29), registration cancelled 2019-11-29, S/N 20325, built 1952 (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: 21912
- Airframe hours: 3577
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bennett, David S
- Last inspection: Annual, March 14, 1991, 38 hours before
- Departed: D96, COLDWATER, MI
- Airport: 3HE, Livingston County, runway 31, 4,300 × 75 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 164 total, 42 in this make and model, 123 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAN, 30 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 19920202001539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920202001539A), Feb 2, 1992: Cessna 170B, Howell, MI, Substantial damage. Weather vaned into strong crosswind on landing. Ran off runway and overturned.

## Other investigations on N432W (2)

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 GAA18CA429](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA429), Jul 19, 2018: Cessna 170 (N432W), Spearfish, SD, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper decision to take off in tailwind conditions, which resulted in an aborted takeoff with insufficient runway remaining.
- [NTSB CHI99LA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA106), Mar 8, 1999: Cessna 170B (N432W), Grand Ledge, MI, substantial damage. Probable cause: the flight instructor's failure to successfully take remedial action to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll out. Factors were the crosswinds and snowbank.

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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