# NTSB GAA15CA218: Cessna 170A, N5749C, East Haddam, CT, August 8, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 8, 2015, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: East Haddam, CT - Coordinates: 41.446666, -72.457496 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4467&lon=-72.4575&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 8, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 91747 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA218 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91747/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91747 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA218 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, and excessive use of brakes, which resulted in a runway excursion and nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: animal(s)/bird(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 358 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while on short final, two flocks of geese departed the field in front of his airplane; "no immediate evasion action was necessary". During the landing roll, the airplane began to swerve and veered off the runway to the left. The pilot reported that he "over-applied brake" and subsequently nosed over after attempting to avoid the runway edge lights. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while on short final, two flocks of geese departed the field in front of his airplane; "no immediate evasion action was necessary". During the landing roll, the airplane began to swerve and veered off the runway to the left. The pilot reported that he "over-applied brake" and subsequently nosed over after attempting to avoid the runway edge lights. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5749C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5749C-2018-03-30), registration cancelled 2018-03-30, S/N 19829, built 1951 (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: 19829 - Year built: 1951 - Airframe hours: 4383 - Engines: Continental O-300A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 9, 2014, 41 hours before - Departed: HFD, HARTFORD, CT - Destination: 42B, EAST HADDAM, CT - Airport: 42B, Goodspeed, runway 32, 2,120 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 9, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 6,921 total, 118 in this make and model, 4,861 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KSNC, 4 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 20150808015459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150808015459A), Aug 8, 2015: Cessna 170A, Haddam, CT, Substantial damage. Pilot was performing takeoff and landing proficiency training when on 6th landing pilot veered to the left off runway to avoid a flock of geese, pilot then… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 29, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91747. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432223&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 154 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40432224&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.PDF 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.