# NTSB CHI97LA043: Cessna 170B, N2506C, Savoy, IL, December 14, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 14, 1996, 11:33 local (17:33 UTC) - Place: Savoy, IL - Coordinates: 40.059074, -88.249435 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0591&lon=-88.2494&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10500 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA043 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10500/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA043 ## Probable cause the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Factors relating to this accident were the student pilot's failure to request another runway and the 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 - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The tower controller cleared the student pilot to land on runway 4. The winds were 130 degrees at 15 knots. On final approach, the student pilot said that he had to use 'the wing low with opposite rudder method to a greater degree than I ever used before.' On touchdown 'the right wing rose to an unacceptable angle. I attempted to lower the wing and stay on the runway, but I lost control of the aircraft.' The airplane departed the left side of the runway, 'the tires sank causing the aircraft to pitch forward, stopping the engine. The aircraft stood vertical, stopping momentarily, then the wind seemed to blow the airplane over.' ## Factual narrative On December 14, 1996, at 1133 central standard time (cst), a Cessna 170B, N2506C, operated by a solo student pilot, sustained substantial damage when on landing roll, the airplane departed the runway and subsequently nosed over. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was on file. The student pilot reported no injuries. The cross-country flight originated at Mount Comfort, Indiana. In his written statement, the student pilot said the ATIS information at Willard Airport, Savoy, Illinois, called the wind 130 degrees magnetic at 15 knots. On initial contact with the Willard Airport Air Traffic Control Tower, the student pilot informed the tower controller that he was a student pilot and that he was inbound for a full stop landing. The tower controller cleared the student pilot to land on runway 04. On final approach, the student pilot said that he had to use "the wing low with opposite rudder method to a greater degree than I ever used before." On touchdown "the right wing rose to an unacceptable angle. I attempted to lower the wing and stay on the runway, but I lost control of the aircraft." The airplane departed the left side of the runway, "the tires sank causing the aircraft to pitch forward, stopping the engine. The aircraft stood vertical, stopping momentarily, then the wind seemed to blow the airplane over." The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the wreckage at the scene found the left wing rear spar bent downward. The inboard bottom surface of the left wing was bent back and buckled outward near the left fuel tank. The bottom wing skin was opened up along the lateral rivet line. The left wing strut was kinked downward in the middle. The right wing was bent aft and downward. The right rear spar was bent slightly downward. There were skin wrinkles in the bottom inboard surface of the right wing near the right fuel tank. The upper forward cabin frame was bent slightly around the cabin door. The vertical stabilizer was crushed downward and buckled outward. The top portion of the rudder was bent over to the left. The rudder counter weight was located on the right side of the vertical stabilizer. Both propeller blades were bent slightly forward. The spinner was crushed to one side. Flight control continuity was confirmed. No anomalies were found with the engine, engine controls, brakes or other airplane systems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2506C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2506C-2018-10-09), registration cancelled 2018-10-09, S/N 26150 (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: 26150 - Airframe hours: 3993 - Engines: Continental O-300A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James C. Taylor - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 23, 1996, 57 hours before - Departed: MQJ, MOUNT COMFORT, IN - Destination: CMI, WILLARD, IL - Airport: CMI, Willard Airport, runway 4, 6,500 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 89 total, 30 in this make and model, 51 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 15 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CM1, 1 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 19961214039399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961214039399A), Dec 14, 1996: Cessna 170B, Champaign-Urban, IL, Substantial damage. Student lost control landing in crosswind. Exited runway. Nosed over. Bent wing spar. Too much crosswind. (-23) while landing at the willard airport, savoy, IL… 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.