# NTSB CHI94LA092: Cessna 170B, N4685C, Waupaca, WI, February 19, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 19, 1994, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Waupaca, WI
- Coordinates: 44.350025, -89.069206 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3500&lon=-89.0692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9473
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9473/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA092

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE GUSTY CROSSWIND.

## 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 - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snowbank

## Analysis

The pilot was practicing crosswind landings on runway 12. The wind was reported to be out of the southwest at 15 knots gusting to 20 knots. The pilot lost control during landing roll. When the pilot regained control the airplane was on the grass and paralleling the runway. The airplane struck a snowdrift and nosed-over.

## Factual narrative

On February 19, 1994, at 1130 central standard time, a Cessna 170B, N4685C, sustained substantial damage when the airplane departed the runway during landing rollout and struck a snowbank at the Waupaca Municipal Airport, Waupaca, Wisconsin.  Neither the private pilot nor his sole passenger were injured.  No flight plan was filed for the personal flight, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.

The pilot reported he was practicing crosswind landings on runway 12.  He stated the wind was from the southwest at 15 knots gusting to 20 knots.  He said that a gust of wind forced him into a ground loop situation, and that by the time he had corrected the condition he was on the grass parallel to the runway.  The airplane struck a snowdrift and nosed-over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4685C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4685C-2020-08-02), registration cancelled 2020-08-02, S/N 25629, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B
- 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: 25629
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hildebrand, Mark D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: PCZ, Waupaca Municipal, runway 12, 3,900 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 87 in this make and model, 219 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CWA, 44 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 19940219002679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940219002679A), Feb 19, 1994: Cessna 170B, Waupaca, WI, Substantial damage. Practicing crosswind landings. Lost control on landing roll. Exited runway. Hit snowdrift. Nosed over.

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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