# NTSB DEN03LA057: Cessna 170A, N1228D, Santa Rosa, NM, March 26, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 26, 2003, 12:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Santa Rosa, NM - Coordinates: 34.934444, -104.643058 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9344&lon=-104.6431&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 56699 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN03LA057 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56699/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA057 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control while taxiing for takeoff. A contributing factor was the wind gust. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - airport sign/marker ## Analysis The pilot said he was taxiing north on a north-south taxiway towards an east-west taxiway, where he intended to taxi east and depart on runway 26. While taxiing north, a gust of wind from the west, estimated to be between 30 and 40 knots, weathervaned the airplane to the left. Full right rudder and right brake was to no avail. The airplane departed the runway and the left main landing gear struck a taxiway sign. The pilot was in the right front seat; another private pilot was in the left front seat. ## Factual narrative On March 26, 2003, approximately 1215 mountain standard time, a Cessna 170A, N1228D, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with a taxiway sign while taxiing for takeoff at the Santa Rosa, New Mexico, Municipal Airport. The commercial pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight, destined for Anthony, New Mexico, had not yet originated. In his accident report, the pilot said he was taxiing north on a north-south taxiway towards an east-west taxiway, where he intended to taxi east and depart on runway 26. While taxiing north, a gust of wind from the west, estimated to be between 30 and 40 knots, weathervaned the airplane to the left. Full right rudder and right brake was to no avail. The airplane departed the runway and the left main landing gear struck a taxiway sign. The landing gear box was buckled, the tail wheel was twisted, and several rivets were popped out of the left door post. The following weather was recorded at the Clines Corner remote AWOS (Automated Weather Observation Station), located 50 miles west of Santa Rosa: Wind, 280 degrees at 26 knots, gusts to 33 knots; visibility, (greater than) 10 statute miles; sky condition, clear; temperature, 15 degrees C. (59 degrees F.); dew point, -11 degrees C. (12 degrees F.); altimeter, 30.11. In his accident report, the pilot indicated he was seated in the right front seat. Another private pilot was in the left front seat. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1228D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1228D), registered now, S/N 19782, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 170A - Registry model: [Cessna 170A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170a) (registry code 2072304) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 19782 - Airframe hours: 5405 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jack M. Hogan - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 7, 2002, 22 hours before - Departed: Q58, Santa Rosa, NM - Destination: TA50, Anthony, NM - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: Q58, Santa Rosa Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review September 27, 2002; seat: right; flight hours: 7,239 total, 150 in this make and model, 6,615 as pilot in command, 69 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 26 knots, gusting 33 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: CQC, 64 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 20030326004549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030326004549A), Mar 26, 2003: Cessna 170A, Santa Rosa, NM, Minor damage. (-23) Owner/operator was flying this aircraft on a 14 CFR part 91 personal flight. He received a duats weather brief prior to departure end and updated his… 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.