# NTSB FTW87LA192: Cessna 170A, N401P, San Marcos, TX, August 8, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1987, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: San Marcos, TX
- Location: 29.8833° N, 97.9414° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of San Marcos, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8833&lon=-97.9414&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22414
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA192
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22414/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA192

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WHEN THE TAIL WHEEL CAME OFF THE RUNWAY. THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS LATE WITH CORRECTIVE ACTION AND THE AIRCRAFT GROUND LOOPED OFF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N401P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N401P-2018-06-26), registration cancelled 2018-06-26, S/N 20022, built 1951 (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: 20023
- Airframe hours: 3006
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: W. R. George & C. J. Reinhart
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1987, 10 hours before
- Departed: T98
- Airport: T98, San Marcos Municipal, runway 17, 5,442 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 842 total, 10 in this make and model, 740 as pilot in command, 102 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °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 19870808043189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870808043189A), Aug 8, 1987: Cessna 170A, San Marcos, TX, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on takeoff roll and ground looped. CFI was late in taking corrective action.

## Other investigations on N401P (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 GAA16CA345](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA345), Jun 29, 2016: Cessna 170 (N401P), Everett, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and substantial damage to the fuselage.
- [NTSB CHI80DEP57](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI80DEP57), Sep 21, 1980: Cessna 170A (N401P), Iola, WI, substantial damage

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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