# NTSB FTW96LA223: Cessna 170A, N9131A, Wharton, TX, May 19, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1996, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Wharton, TX
- Coordinates: 29.309434, -96.090148 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3094&lon=-96.0901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 23, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19846
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA223
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19846/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA223

## Probable cause

failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, while landing on runway 14 at Wharton Municipal airport, Wharton, Texas, he 'lost control' of the airplane and it ground looped.  Damage was sustained to the left wing, the engine mount, the left main landing gear attaching point, and left aileron.

## Factual narrative

On May 19, 1996, at 1300 central daylight time, a Cessna 170A, N9131A, registered to and operated by a private owner, sustained substantial damage during landing near Wharton, Texas.  The private pilot and his passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, and a flight plan was not filed.  The flight originated near Laporte, Texas.

The pilot reported that, while landing on runway 14 at Wharton Municipal airport, Wharton, Texas, he "lost control" of the airplane and it ground looped.  Damage was sustained to the left wing, the engine mount, the left main landing gear attaching point, and left aileron.

The pilot notified the NTSB of the accident by telephone three days following the accident.  Numerous attempts to obtain a completed NTSB form 6120.1/2 (Pilot/Operator Report) were unsuccessful.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9131A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9131A), registered now, S/N 18890, built 1949 (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: 18890
- Engines: Continental C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cecil  B. Ellis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: T41, LA PORTE, TX
- Airport: 5R5, Wharton Municipal, runway 14, 5,002 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 350 total, 150 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 20 knots, gusting 25

## 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 19960519045969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960519045969A), May 19, 1996: Cessna 170A, Wharton, TX, Substantial damage. (.4) The pilot reported that, while landing on runway 14 at Wharton Municipal Airport, Wharton, Texas, he 'lost control' of the airplane and it ground looped.…

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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