# NTSB GAA16CA324: Cessna 170, N1311D, Palmer, AK, June 17, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 17, 2016, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Palmer, AK
- Coordinates: 61.348609, -148.528884 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.3486&lon=-148.5289&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 93431
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA324
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93431/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93431
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA324

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain a wings-level attitude during takeoff in gusty wind conditions, which resulted in the right wing striking the ground, a loss of lateral bank control, and a nose over during the subsequent landing.

## 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: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Course deviation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/281); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/281/sequence.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/281/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of a tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during a gusty crosswind takeoff from a dry lake bed the left wing lifted and unbeknownst to the pilot, the right wing contacted the ground. The pilot further reported that during the initial climb, the airplane turned right despite full left rudder and aileron inputs. The airplane turned downwind about 4-6 feet off the ground, encountered a tailwind which "pushed the airplane down", descended onto a puddle, hydroplaned, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and aileron. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of a tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during a gusty crosswind takeoff from a dry lake bed the left wing lifted and unbeknownst to the pilot, the right wing contacted the ground. The pilot further reported that during the initial climb, the airplane turned right despite full left rudder and aileron inputs. The airplane turned downwind about 4-6 feet off the ground, encountered a tailwind which "pushed the airplane down", descended onto a puddle, hydroplaned, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and aileron. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1311D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1311D), registered now, S/N 19887, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170 (A)
- 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: 19887
- Year built: 1951
- Engines: CONT MOTOR O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2016
- Departed: Palmer, AK
- Destination: PAQ, PALMER, AK
- Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 26, 2015; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 240 in this make and model, 240 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observed at: PAAQ, 22 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 20160617023969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160617023969A), Jun 17, 2016: Cessna 170A, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot taking off from unimproved strip (name: mud strip) near upper lake george/knik glacier, with a quartering left headwind. Upon rotation, pilot experienced…

## Other investigations on N1311D (1)

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 ANC88LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA007), Oct 12, 1987: Cessna 170 (N1311D), King Salmon, AK, substantial damage

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 3, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93431. 1.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 513 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442812&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 188 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442814&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 584 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40442813&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%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.

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