# NTSB GAA16CA097: Cessna 175, N9493B, Seeley Lake, MT, January 5, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 4, 2016, 17:10 local (Jan 5, 2016, 00:10 UTC) - Place: Seeley Lake, MT - Coordinates: 47.18, -113.445274 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1800&lon=-113.4453&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 5, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Helena FSDO (FAA) - NTSB case key (mKey): 92544 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA097 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92544/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92544 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA097 ## Probable cause The pilot' failure to identify the plowed runway width in dusk and flat light conditions, which resulted in a touchdown left of the runway center, an impact with a snow berm, and a ground loop. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 175, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 175, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Airport facilities/design: runway/landing area condition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017035): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 175, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017035/cases.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017035/cases.md) - [Light condition: flat light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 175, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025/cases.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025/cases.md) - [Light condition: low light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 175, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015/cases.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015/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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 175, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Cessna 175, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 175, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the approach he was informed by a person on the ground, who was not associated with airport operations, that there was about 3 inches of compacted snow on the runway. Before attempting to land, he completed a low pass over the runway to observe the runway conditions, but reported that it was dusk and he was observing flat light conditions. The pilot reported that the touchdown was normal, but about 50 to 75 feet into the landing roll the airplane pulled to the left. He attempted to correct with right rudder, but was unable to stop the airplane from ground looping to the left into a snow berm. After the accident, the pilot observed that he "landed left of center" and the left main landing gear caught a one foot snow berm. The right wing and right elevator were substantially damaged. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Airport Facility Directory, the destination had "intermittent" snow removal and the airport manager could be called for current conditions. The runway used was not equipped with runway lights. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the approach he was informed by a person on the ground, who was not associated with airport operations, that there was about 3 inches of compacted snow on the runway. Before attempting to land, he completed a low pass over the runway to observe the runway conditions, but reported that it was dusk and he was observing flat light conditions. The pilot reported that the touchdown was normal, but about 50 to 75 feet into the landing roll the airplane pulled to the left. He attempted to correct with right rudder, but was unable to stop the airplane from ground looping to the left into a snow berm. After the accident, the pilot observed that he "landed left of center" and the left main landing gear caught a one foot snow berm. The right wing and right elevator were substantially damaged. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Airport Facility Directory, the destination had "intermittent" snow removal and the airport manager could be called for current conditions. The runway used was not equipped with runway lights. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9493B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9493B), registered now, S/N 55293, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 175 - Registry model: [Cessna 175](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (registry code 2072502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 55293 - Year built: 1958 - Airframe hours: 2646.4 - Engines: Lycoming IO-300-A1B 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 2015 - Departed: GPI, KALISPELL, MT - Destination: 23S, Seeley Lake, MT - Airport: 23S, Seeley Lake, runway 16, 4,575 × 75 ft - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 12, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,300.3 total, 941 in this make and model, 1,202.4 as pilot in command, 21.3 in the last 90 days, 19.3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: calm - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 10 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KMSO, 31 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 20160104000149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160104000149A), Jan 4, 2016: Cessna 175, Seeley Lake, MT, Substantial damage. The airman was on the last leg of a cross country flight that originated in fairbanks, Alaska with a final destination of Seeley Lake, Montana. The airman… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 10, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92544. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 798 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437640&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Airport Facility Directory 23S Airport (item 2, .PDF, 62 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437641&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airport%20Facility%20Directory%2023S%20Airport-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 216 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437642&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.