# NTSB FTW98LA251: Cessna 170B, N1896C, Los Alamos, NM, June 1, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 1, 1998, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Los Alamos, NM - Coordinates: 35.890098, -106.280082 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8901&lon=-106.2801&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 1, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20634 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA251 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20634/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA251 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions. Contributing factors were the crosswinds, the fence, and the ditch. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) - object - fence (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot was performing a wheel landing on runway 27 (5,500 ft. x 75 ft., elevation 7,171 feet) which is located on top a mesa with trees lining the south side. He stated that he requested an airport advisory which gave the wind at S-SE for 10 knots with gusts to 20 knots. When the airplane touched down, it began to 'weathervane,' and it exited the runway to the left striking a ditch and fence. The density altitude was 10,459 feet, at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On June 1, 1998, at 1500 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 170B, N1896C, was substantially damaged during landing roll near Los Alamos, New Mexico. The private pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. The airplane was registered jointly to two individuals and was being operated by the pilot under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight which originated in Espanola, New Mexico, 15 minutes before the accident. No flight plan had been filed. According to the pilot's accident report and a telephone conversation with the Investigator-In-Charge, the pilot stated that he was performing a wheel landing on runway 27 (5,500 ft. X 75 ft., elevation 7,171 feet), which is located on top a mesa with trees lining the south side. He stated that he requested an airport advisory which gave the wind at S-SE for 10 knots with gusts to 20 knots. The pilot stated that when the airplane touched down, it began to "weather vain," and it exited the runway to the left striking a ditch and fence. Both wings were substantially damaged as well as the landing gear and propeller. At the time of the accident, density altitude was 10,459 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1896C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1896C), registered now, S/N 26041, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 170B - Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 26041 - Airframe hours: 4197 - Engines: Lycoming O-360A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Earl W. Backenstow - Registered owner: Lloyd Hunt - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1998, 1 hours before - Departed: Q14, ESPANOLA, NM - Destination: LAM, NM - Airport: LAM, Los Alamos, runway 27, 5,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 520 total, 140 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 9 knots - Visibility: 35 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LAM ## 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 19980601011549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980601011549A), Jun 1, 1998: Cessna 170B, Los Alamos, NM, Substantial damage. Wheel landing. Lost control. Veered off runway. (.4) the pilot was performing a wheel landing on runway 27 (5,500 ft. x 75 ft., elevation 7,171 feet) which is… ## Other investigations on N1896C (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 DEN83LA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA068), Feb 26, 1983: Cessna 170B (N1896C), Buffalo, WY, substantial damage - [NTSB DEN81DTC10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81DTC10), Feb 14, 1981: Cessna 170B (N1896C), Buffalo, WY, 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. --- 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.