# NTSB DEN87LA095: Cessna 170A, N5579C, Durango, CO, April 11, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 11, 1987, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Durango, CO
- Coordinates: 37.270172, -107.880874 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2702&lon=-107.8809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 5, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17199
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17199/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA095

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - windshear (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTS THAT HE WAS LANDING TO THE S WITH A RT QUARTERING HEADWIND OF ABOUT 20 KTS. HE SAID THAT DURING HIS ROLLOUT THE WIND SHIFTED TO A RT QUARTERING TAILWIND WITH A LARGE GUST. THE GUST RAISED THE TAIL AND RT WING AND THE ACFT DEPARTED THE RT SIDE OF THE RWY. AFTER LEAVING THE RWY THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A DITCH AND THE LT MLG BROKE OFF RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE LT WING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5579C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5579C), registered now, S/N 19633, 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 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 19633
- Airframe hours: 2269
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-B 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michel L. Whitesell
- Registered owner: Michael L Whitesell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 23, 1986, 22 hours before
- Departed: IVT, PHOENIX, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 5COO, Amimas Air Park, runway 19, 5,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 465 total, 23 in this make and model, 398 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19870411009099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870411009099A), Apr 11, 1987: Cessna 170A, Durango, CO, Substantial damage. Lost control and ground looped into a ditch while landing in a gusty crosswind. Pilot blamed windshift to tailwind.

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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