# NTSB FTW98LA237: Cessna 170A, N9732A, Provo, UT, May 24, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 24, 1998, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Provo, UT - Coordinates: 40.220039, -111.689285 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2200&lon=-111.6893&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20622 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA237 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20622/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA237 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane. A related factor was the right quartering tailwind gust. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll - landing gear,wheel - overload - landing gear,wheel - separation ## Analysis The pilot said that as he approached his destination, he was unable to contact either the airport or other air traffic to obtain wind information to find out which runway was in use. Flying over the airport, he saw that the wind sock indicated the winds were calm, so he landed on runway 13. He said the airplane 'felt soft on the left side' and began 'weaving' down the runway. The left wheel broke off the landing gear, and the airplane ground looped. A witness told the pilot he thought he 'may have experienced a right quartering tail wind gust.' An FAA inspector, who examined the airplane, said the failure appeared to be overload. ## Factual narrative On May 24, 1998, approximately 1400 mountain daylight time, N9732A, a Cessna 170A, was substantially damaged during landing at Provo, Utah. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated in Payson, Arizona, with intermediate stops in Page, Arizona, and Panguitch, Utah. The flight departed Panguitch approximately 1100. In his accident report, the pilot said that as he approached his destination, he was unable to contact either the airport or other air traffic to obtain wind information and to find out what runway was in use. Flying over the airport, he saw that the wind sock indicated the winds were calm so he landed on runway 13. The airplane "felt soft on the left side" and began "weaving" down the runway. The left wheel broke off the landing gear and the airplane ground looped. A witness told the pilot he thought he "may have experienced a right quartering tail wind gust." An FAA inspector who examined the airplane said the failure appeared to be overload. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9732A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9732A), registered now, S/N 19193, 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: 19193 - Airframe hours: 4796 - Engines: Continental O-300-B 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ralph A. Clark - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 2, 1998, 24 hours before - Departed: U55, PANGUITCH, UT - Destination: PVU - Airport: PVU, Provo Municipal, runway 13, 7,091 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 582 total, 38 in this make and model, 582 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SLC, 36 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 19980524015589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980524015589A), May 24, 1998: Cessna 170A, Provo, UT, Substantial damage. Downwind landing and lack of tailwheel experience resulted in loss of control, dragged wingtip and groundloop. (.4)the pilot said that as he approached his… 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.