# NTSB DEN85LA192: Cessna 170B, N8252A, Missoula, MT, July 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1985, 14:17 local (20:17 UTC)
- Place: Missoula, MT
- Coordinates: 46.849586, -113.989891 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8496&lon=-113.9899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16727
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA192
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16727/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA192

## 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
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE DID NOT USE PROPER TECHNIQUE AND DID NOT MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WHILE LANDING IN A BRISK AND DIRECT CROSSWIND.  THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED IN THE HARD LANDING THAT WAS FOLLOWED BY A GROUND LOOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8252A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8252A), registered now, S/N 25104, 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 C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25104
- Airframe hours: 3201
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Warren J. Stickney
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 1984
- Departed: MSO, MISSOULA, MT
- Airport: MSO, Missoula Co., runway 29, 9,499 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 489 total, 55 in this make and model, 436 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSO

## 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 19850717032989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850717032989A), Jul 17, 1985: Cessna 170B, Missoula, MT, Substantial damage. Flared too high and made hard landing and groundloop in stiff crosswind. Damaged landing gear and left wing tip.

## Other investigations on N8252A (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 SEA04LA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA072), Apr 23, 2004: Cessna 170B (N8252A), Nampa, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The right seat pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the initial part of the landing roll, and his improper handling of the aircraft (excessive braking) as the aircraft departed the…
- [NTSB SEA75DTI17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA75DTI17), Jan 18, 1975: Cessna 170B (N8252A), Missoula, MT, substantial damage

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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