# NTSB FTW00LA249: Cessna 170A, N1447D, Mexia, TX, September 5, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 5, 2000, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Mexia, TX - Coordinates: 31.710735, -96.160705 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7107&lon=-96.1607&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 19, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50192 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA249 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50192/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA249 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors were the gusty crosswind and the pilot's failure to perform a go-around upon encountering a windshift/crosswind. ## 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 - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment ## Analysis During a short 15-minute flight, the student pilot encountered some light turbulence and windy flight conditions. While approaching mid-field at his destination, the 'windsock showed that the wind was blowing from the south.' He set up for a normal full flaps approach to Runway 18, and on final, the wind shifted to north-northeast. Upon touchdown, the airplane veered to the left. Control corrections were not effective, as the aircraft skidded off the runway to the left onto grass, and impacted a dirt mound at a 90-degree angle. The aircraft came to rest heading about 360 degrees. The main landing gears were sheared, the landing gear box was structurally damaged and the fuselage was buckled adjacent to the passenger side doorframe. The nearest full service weather reporting facility, located approximately 36 miles east of the accident site, reported wind from 090 at 13 knots, gusting to 19 knots. ## Factual narrative On September 5, 2000 at 1515 central daylight time, a Cessna 170A tail wheel equipped airplane, N1447D, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged following a loss of control while landing on Runway 18 at the Mexia-Limestone County Municipal Airport, Mexia, Texas. The student pilot, who held a valid solo endorsement, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight. The flight originated from the Teague Municipal Airport, Teague, Texas, at 1500. During the 15-minute flight from Teague, the pilot encountered some light turbulence and windy flight conditions. While approaching mid-field at Mexia-Limestone County Airport, the pilot reported that the "windsock showed that the wind was blowing from the south." He set up for a normal full flaps approach to Runway 18, and on final "the wind shifted to North-Northeast, which was a quartering tailwind." Upon touchdown, the airplane "started to steer to the left." Control corrections were not effective, as the aircraft "skidded" off the runway to the left onto grass. The aircraft then impacted a "dirt mound" at a 90-degree angle and sheared the main landing gear. The aircraft came to rest heading about 360 degrees. Inspection of the aircraft after the accident by an FAA inspector, revealed a bent landing gear box, and buckled fuselage adjacent to the passenger side doorframe. The nearest full service weather reporting facility was located at Waco, Texas, approximately 36 miles east of Mexia-Limestone County Airport. The wind conditions at Waco, reported at the time of the accident, were 090 at 13 knots, gusting to 19 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1447D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1447D), registered now, S/N 20030 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 170A - Registry model: [Cessna 170A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170a) (registry code 2072304) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20030 - Engines: Continental C-145 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David T. James - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: F68, TEAGUE, TX - Destination: LXY - Airport: LXY, Limestone County Muni, runway 18, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 62 total, 44 in this make and model, 19 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 13 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 106 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ACT, 36 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 20000905040929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000905040929A), Sep 5, 2000: Cessna 170A, Mexia, TX, No damage. (-23) On 9/5/2000 aircraft N1447D, Cessna 170A received substantial damage after running off the runway (ground loop) during landing at Limestone county… 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.