# NTSB DEN89LA225: Cessna 170, N170LF, Cortez, CO, September 10, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 10, 1989, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Cortez, CO
- Coordinates: 37.349941, -108.570701 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3499&lon=-108.5707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17788
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA225
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17788/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA225

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND LOOP.

## 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)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT WHEN HE LANDED, THE ACFT WAS SLIGHTLY OFF THE RWY CENTERLINE, SO HE COMPENSATED BY APPLYING RUDDER. HOWEVER, HE SAID HE OVER CORRECTED & THE ACFT GROUNDLOOPED. SUBSEQUENTLY, ITS RIGHT WING CONTACTED THE SURFACE & WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N170LF (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18271
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Crawford Aviation Inc.
- Departed: 6V6, NUCLA, CO
- Destination: CEZ
- Airport: CEZ, Cortez Montezuma, runway 21, 7,105 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 45 total, 43 in this make and model, 10 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19890910065249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890910065249A), Sep 10, 1989: Cessna 170, Cortez, CO, Substantial damage. Student lost control of aircraft on landing and ground looped.

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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