# NTSB DEN99LA115: Cessna 170, N4163V, Durango, CO, June 22, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 22, 1999, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Durango, CO - Coordinates: 37.269229, -107.879447 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2692&lon=-107.8794&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 12, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46722 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA115 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46722/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA115 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during landing roll. A factor was the high density altitude and the high vegetation (sagebrush). ## 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 - high density altitude (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) ## Analysis During the pilot's third landing attempt, the aircraft departed the right side of the runway. The right wheel exited the pavement, and he was unable to return completely back onto the runway. The airplane continued to the right, and the aircraft traveled at a high speed through sagebrush. In attempting to maneuver the aircraft back onto the runway, the airplane skidded sideways towards the west at a 90 degree angle from the runway. The aircraft tilted onto its left side, bounced back, and came to rest in an upright position. During landing, the aircraft's indicated airspeed was 60 knots, and the ground speed was approximately 85 knots. Density altitude at the time of the accident was calculated to be 9,422 feet. ## Factual narrative On June 22, 1999, approximately 1130 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 170, N4163V, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged after colliding with terrain during landing roll at Animas Air Park, Durango, Colorado. The private pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. The aircraft was being operated as a personal cross-country flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Lamar, Colorado, at 0700. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. According to the pilot, he approached the airport from the south for landing and listened to Durango-La Plata County Airport's Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS), located 6.3 nautical miles to the southeast. The wind was reported to be light and variable. During his first attempt to land on runway 19, the approach was too high and he performed a go around. During his second landing attempt, he bounced once, and decided to go around again. His third landing was successful; however upon touching down, the aircraft began to depart the right side of the runway. The right wheel exited the pavement, and he was unable to return completely back onto the runway. The airplane continued to the right, and the aircraft traveled at a high speed through sagebrush. In attempting to maneuver the aircraft back onto the runway, the airplane skidded sideways towards the west at a 90 degree angle from the runway. The aircraft tilted onto its left side with the right wingtip in the air. The left wingtip impacted the ground, bounced back, and the airplane then came to rest in an upright position. During the landing sequence, the aircraft sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizer, elevator, left wing tip, and wing spar extension. During the third landing attempt, the pilot stated that the aircraft's indicated airspeed was 60 knots, and the ground speed was approximately 85 knots. Density altitude at the time of the accident was calculated to be 9,422 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4163V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4163V), registered now, S/N 18495, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 170 - Registry model: [Cessna 170](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170) (registry code 2072302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18495 - Airframe hours: 3300 - Engines: Continental O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Thomas A. Arsenault - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 26, 1999, 13 hours before - Departed: LAA, LAMAR, CO - Destination: 5CO0 - Airport: 5CO0, Animas Air Park, runway 19, 5,010 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 329 total, 228 in this make and model, 329 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CEZ, 37 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 19990622044839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990622044839A), Jun 22, 1999: Cessna 170, Durango, CO, No damage. (-23) A/c was landing at Animas air park (5C00), Durango, CO., when at touchdown the pilot lost control of the aircraft, it departed the runway, sustaining… 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.