# NTSB FTW97LA043: Cessna 170B, N25JM, Manvel, TX, November 15, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 15, 1996, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Manvel, TX - Coordinates: 29.480091, -95.350982 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4801&lon=-95.3510&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20115 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA043 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20115/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA043 ## Probable cause Loss of aircraft control due to the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind. A factor was the crosswind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot was attempting to land the airplane on runway 20 with a gusty south crosswind. As he started the landing flare, 'approximately one to two feet above the runway, a sudden left gust displaced the airplane to the right of the runway.' A go-around was initiated. 'While attempting to gain [a] greater airspeed, the airplane was displaced further to the right of the runway,' struck a tree, and subsequently impacted a historical marker. At 0949, 11 minutes prior to the accident, the winds at the Houston Hobby International Airport in Houston, Texas, 10 nautical miles from the accident site, were from 120 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 22 knots. ## Factual narrative On November 15, 1996, at 1000 central standard time, a Cessna 170B, N25JM, registered to and operated by a private owner as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 business flight, was substantially damaged during landing near Manvel, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The flight originated from Houston, Texas, about 30 minutes before the accident. According to the pilot, he was attempting to land the airplane on runway 20 with a gusty south crosswind. As he started the landing flare, "approximately one to two feet above the runway, a sudden left gust displaced the airplane to the right of the runway." A go-around was initiated. "While attempting to gain [a] greater airspeed, the airplane was displaced further to the right of the runway," struck a tree, and subsequently impacted a historical marker. Examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed that the airplane came to rest 250 feet from the runway on a northerly heading. Both wings, wing struts, the fuselage, and landing gear were damaged. The left elevator was found separated from the horizontal stabilizer. At 0949, 11 minutes prior to the accident, the winds at the Houston Hobby International Airport in Houston, Texas, were from 120 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 22 knots. Houston Hobby International Airport is 10 nautical miles from the accident site. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N25JM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25JM-1997-12-02), registration cancelled 1997-12-02, S/N 27004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 170B - Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 27004 - Airframe hours: 2149 - Engines: Continental O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Victor A. Strum - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 28, 1996, 18 hours before - Departed: T02, HOUSTON, TX - Destination: 3TA1 - Airport: 3TA1, Wolfe Air Park, runway 20, 3,180 × 80 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,638 total, 4 in this make and model, 1,386 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 10 knots, gusting 13 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19961115042359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961115042359A), Nov 15, 1996: Cessna 170B, Manvel, TX, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot was attempting to land the airplane on runway 20 with a gusty south crosswind. As he started the landing flare, 'approximately one to two feet… 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.