# NTSB ERA20LA338: Cessna 170, N2772D, Pottstown, PA, September 22, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 22, 2020, 12:18 local (16:18 UTC) - Place: Pottstown, PA · Heritage Field Airport (PTW) - Coordinates: 40.23992, -75.556002 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2399&lon=-75.5560&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 102056 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20LA338 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102056/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102056 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA338 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusty, shifting wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: sudden wind shift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 91 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the most recent automated surface observing system (ASOS) weather favored a landing on runway 28, with an 8 knot right quartering headwind and 15 knot gusts. The pilot made a normal approach to runway 28; however, when he reduced engine power and began to flare the airplane ballooned about 8 to 10 ft and he added engine power. During the subsequent touchdown on the main landing gear the wind shifted to a quartering tailwind. The airplane veered to the right and the pilot applied left rudder and brake; however, the airplane ground-looped and exited the runway. The airplane came to rest opposite the landing direction and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Review of additional ASOS data revealed a 66° difference in the gust wind direction over a 2-minute period around the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2772D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2772D-2022-03-15), registration cancelled 2022-03-15, S/N 25314, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 170 (B) - 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: 25314 - Year built: 1952 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 28, 2020 - Airport: PTW, Heritage Field Airport, runway 28, 3,371 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 6, 2019; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 5,752 total, 205 in this make and model, 5,500 as pilot in command, 95 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Pilot-rated passenger; age 47; injuries: none; private, remote; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 17, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 321 total, 199 in this make and model, 167 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Turbulence: Light - Observed at: KPTW - METAR: KPTW 221554Z AUTO 31009G14KT 10SM CLR 19/03 A3017 RMK AO2 SLP213 T01890033 ## 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 20200922014649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200922014649A), Sep 22, 2020: Cessna 170B, Pottstown, PA, Substantial damage. On September 22, 2020 at approximately 1220 local, N2772D veered off the right side of runway 28 upon landing at kptw. There were no injuries to the pilot or… ## Other investigations on N2772D (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 SEA7LFYC22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA7LFYC22), Sep 27, 1975: Cessna 170B (N2772D), Cascade Locks, OR, substantial damage - [NTSB SEA72FYC31](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA72FYC31), Mar 28, 1972: Cessna 170 (N2772D), Donald, OR, substantial damage ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 16, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102056. 9.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 7.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11551321&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N2772D%20Report%20Recd%2010%206%202020_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of NTSB conversations (item 2, PDF, 8 pages, 75 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11551892&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20NTSB%20Conversations_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Meteorology specialist's factual report (item 3, PDF, 7 pages, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11542273&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WX_ERA20LA338_Specialists_Factual.docx-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector statement (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11551902&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 5, PDF, 2 pages, 638 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11553625&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11587228&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Fully%20Executed%20Wreckage%20Release%20Form_ERA20LA338_Redacted-Rel.pdf 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.