# NTSB FTW02LA024: Cessna 170A, N4127G, Giddings, TX, October 27, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 27, 2001, 09:50 local (14:50 UTC) - Place: Giddings, TX - Coordinates: 30.180025, -96.91986 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1800&lon=-96.9199&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administartion - NTSB case key (mKey): 53673 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA024 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53673/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA024 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The failure of the Cessna pilot to maintain directional control while landing, which resulted in a collision with the Lake. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) the Cessna pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing, which resulted in a collision with another airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), landing - aborted - object - aircraft parked/standing - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), standing - engine(s) operating - directional control - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) The airplane, a Lake LA-4, was standing with the engine operating near the airport refueling facility. According to the pilot of another airplane, a Cessna 170A, he had intended to make a full stop landing; however, while on final approach he realized that he was too high and performed a go-around. He then approached the runway a second time with the intent of executing a full stall landing. He stated that the second approach was a little high. The main landing gear wheels touched down first, and the Cessna bounced, came down again, and began to veer to the left of the runway centerline. The pilot applied full power; however, he was unable to regain directional control of the Cessna or attain a climb. Subsequently, the Cessna's right wing contacted the right wing of the Lake. The Cessna then impacted steel posts that surrounded the airport refueling facility and came to a stop upright along an embankment. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) According to the pilot of the Cessna 170A, he had intended to make a full stop landing; however, while on final approach he realized that he was too high and performed a go-around. He then approached the runway a second time with the intent of executing a full stall landing. He stated that the second approach was a little high. The main landing gear wheels touched down first, and the Cessna bounced, came down again, and began to veer to the left of the runway centerline. The pilot applied full power; however, he was unable to regain directional control of the Cessna or attain a climb. Subsequently, the Cessna's right wing contacted the right wing of a Lake LA-4 airplane. The Lake was standing with the engine operating near the airport refueling facility. The Cessna then impacted steel posts that surrounded the airport refueling facility and came to a stop upright along an embankment. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On October 27, 2001, at 0950 central daylight time, a Cessna 170A tail wheel equipped airplane, N4127G, was substantially damaged when it collided with a Lake LA-4 airplane, N1139L, and terrain following a loss of control while landing at the Giddings-Lee County Airport, Giddings, Texas. Both airplanes were registered to and operated by their respective pilots. The private pilot of the Cessna 170A and his one passenger sustained minor injures. The private pilot of the Lake LA-4 and his one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and flight plans were not filed for either of the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flights. The Cessna 170A had originated from the Covey Trails Airport, Fulshear, Texas, at 0900, and was destined for the Giddings-Lee County Airport. The Lake LA-4 was standing with the engine operating preparing to taxi for departure, at the time of the collision. According to the pilot of the Cessna, ten miles from the airport he was advised that runway 17 was active and the wind was from 120 degrees at 3 knots. He stated that he had intended to make a full stop landing; however, while on final approach realized that he was too high. Subsequently, he executed a go-around. He then approached runway 17 a second time with the intent to execute a full stall landing. He stated that the second approach was " a little high." The main landing gear wheels touched down first, and the airplane "bounced, floated a little, and came down again." The airplane began to veer to the left of the runway centerline. The pilot applied full power; however, he was unable to regain directional control or attain a climb. Subsequently, the Cessna's right wing contacted the right wing of the Lake, which was parked with the engine running at the airport refueling facility. The Cessna then cartwheeled, impacted steel posts that surround the airport refueling facility, and came to a stop upright along an embankment. The pilot of the Lake reported that when he first observed the Cessna, it was "bouncing wildly" and was traveling at a "high rate of speed." He also stated that when the Cessna bounced into the air, it sounded as if the pilot applied full power. The passenger of the Lake stated that when she saw the Cessna, "it appeared that the pilot had lost control of the airplane." Three witnesses reported that the Cessna bounced during landing and exited the runway surface. They stated that it appeared as if the pilot initiated a go-around; however, the airplane "stalled," began to cartwheel, and came to a stop upright. At 0953, the weather observation facility at the Easterwood Field Airport, College Station, Texas, (located 40 miles northeast of the accident site) reported a few clouds at 11,000 feet, visibility 10 miles, temperature 61 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 46 degrees Fahrenheit, wind from 070 degrees at 3 knots and an altimeter setting of 30.49 inches of Mercury. According to the FAA inspector, who examined the airplanes, the right wing spar and fuselage of the Cessna were structurally damaged, and the propeller blades were bent. The right wing of the Lake was structurally damaged. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On October 27, 2001, at 0950 central daylight time, a Cessna 170A tail wheel equipped airplane, N4127G, was substantially damaged when it collided with a Lake LA-4 airplane, N1139L, and terrain following a loss of control while landing at the Giddings-Lee County Airport, Giddings, Texas. Both airplanes were registered to and operated by their respective pilots. The private pilot of the Cessna 170A and his one passenger sustained minor injures. The private pilot of the Lake LA-4 and his one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and flight plans were not filed for either of the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flights. The Cessna 170A had originated from the Covey Trails Airport, Fulshear, Texas, at 0900, and was destined for the Giddings-Lee County Airport. The Lake LA-4 was standing with the engine operating preparing to taxi for departure, at the time of the collision. According to the pilot of the Cessna, ten miles from the airport he was advised that runway 17 was active and the wind was from 120 degrees at 3 knots. He stated that he had intended to make a full stop landing; however, while on final approach realized that he was too high. Subsequently, he executed a go-around. He then approached runway 17 a second time with the intent to execute a full stall landing. He stated that the second approach was " a little high." The main landing gear wheels touched down first, and the airplane "bounced, floated a little, and came down again." The airplane began to veer to the left of the runway centerline. The pilot applied full power; however, he was unable to regain directional control or attain a climb. Subsequently, the Cessna's right wing contacted the right wing of the Lake, which was parked with the engine running at the airport refueling facility. The Cessna then cartwheeled, impacted steel posts that surround the airport refueling facility, and came to a stop upright along an embankment. The pilot of the Lake reported that when he first observed the Cessna, it was "bouncing wildly" and was traveling at a "high rate of speed." He also stated that when the Cessna bounced into the air, it sounded as if the pilot applied full power. The passenger of the Lake stated that when she saw the Cessna, "it appeared that the pilot had lost control of the airplane." Three witnesses reported that the Cessna bounced during landing and exited the runway surface. They stated that it appeared as if the pilot initiated a go-around; however, the airplane "stalled," began to cartwheel, and came to a stop upright. At 0953, the weather observation facility at the Easterwood Field Airport, College Station, Texas, (located 40 miles northeast of the accident site) reported a few clouds at 11,000 feet, visibility 10 miles, temperature 61 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 46 degrees Fahrenheit, wind from 070 degrees at 3 knots and an altimeter setting of 30.49 inches of Mercury. According to the FAA inspector, who examined the airplanes, the right wing spar and fuselage of the Cessna were structurally damaged, and the propeller blades were bent. The right wing of the Lake was structurally damaged. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N4127G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4127G-2009-06-12), registration cancelled 2009-06-12, S/N 19240 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 170A - Registry model: [Cessna 170A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170a) (registry code 2072304) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 19240 - Airframe hours: 2700 - Engines: Continental C145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard J. Faust - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 14, 2001, 8.5 hours before - Departed: TX09, Fulshear, TX - Destination: 62H, Giddings, TX - Airport: 62H, Giddings-Lee County, runway 17, 3,998 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: N1139L (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Lake LA-4 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 300 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bobby R. Jackson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 62H, Giddings, TX - Airport: 62H, Giddings-Lee County ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N4127G; age 44; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review October 19, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 83 total, 25 in this make and model - Pilot, aircraft N1139L; age 71; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,079 total, 740 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.48 inHg - Observed at: CLL, 40 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 20011027030061A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011027030061A), Oct 27, 2001: Cessna 170A, Giddings, TX, Substantial damage. (.19) On October 27, 2001, at 1000 central daylight time , a Cessna 170A airplane, N4127G, was substantially damaged when it collided with a lake LA-4… 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.