# NTSB DEN89LA176: Cessna 170B, N8102A, Kyle, SD, July 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1989, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Kyle, SD
- Coordinates: 43.419155, -102.159278 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4192&lon=-102.1593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17752
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17752/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA176

## Probable cause

THE PILOT USED POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING & DECISION-MAKING IN SELECTING A ROAD ON WHICH TO LAND DURING GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTED IN THE FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTION CONTROL.

## 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
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS LANDING HIS ACFT ON A ROAD WHEN A SUDDEN GUST OF WIND STRUCK THE ACFT CAUSING HIM TO LOSE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. HE SAID THAT THE WINDS APPEARED TO BE CALM IN THE AREA BUT SOME 'DUST DEVILS' COULD BE SEEN SWIRLING AROUND. THE ACFT WENT OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8102A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8102A), registered now, S/N 20954 (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: 20954
- Airframe hours: 1671
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Buck, Randall J.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 1989, 46 hours before
- Departed: SPF, SPEARFISH, SD
- Destination: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 385 total, 170 in this make and model, 362 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890723024809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890723024809A), Jul 23, 1989: Cessna 170B, Kyle, SD, Substantial damage. Landed on a road. Gusty surface wind lifted wing. Wheel entered soft road edge caused a nose over. Blamed whirlwind.

## Other investigations on N8102A (1)

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 UNK64X3053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X3053), Jul 26, 1964: Cessna 170B (N8102A), Billings, 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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