# NTSB FTW90LA056: Cessna 170, N6303D, Crockett, TX, January 13, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 13, 1990, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Crockett, TX
- Coordinates: 31.310537, -95.449417 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3105&lon=-95.4494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 10, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23096
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23096/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA056

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE MAIN LANDING GEAR AXLE DUE TO FATIGUE WHICH LED TO A LOSS OF CONTROL AFTER TOUCHDOWN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,axle - fatigue (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

ON TOUCHDOWN, THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR AXLE BROKE AND THE WHEEL SEPARATED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE AIRPLANE VEERED RIGHT, WHEN THE STRUT STUB DUG INTO THE GROUND. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE FRACTURE SURFACES OF THE FAILED AXLE REVEALED EVIDENCE OF A PRE-EXISTING CRACK ALONG THE BOTTOM 1/3 OF THE AXLE CIRCUMFERENCE. THE REMAINDER OF THE FRACTURE APPEARED TO BE FRESH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6303D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6303D), registered now, S/N 18015, 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: 18015
- Airframe hours: 2741
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jerry L. Calhoon
- Registered owner: Calhoon, Jerry L
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 9, 1989, 39 hours before
- Departed: PSN, PALESTINE, TX
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: NONE, Last Resort, runway 16, 2,400 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 900 total, 30 in this make and model, 880 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19900113001239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900113001239A), Jan 13, 1990: Cessna 170, Crockett, TX, Substantial damage. Right main axle broke on touchdown separating the wheel. Aircraft veered right, hit left wing. Fatigue crack.

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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