# NTSB GAA17CA116: Cessna 170, N3210A, Coeur D'Alene, ID, January 14, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 14, 2017, 14:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Coeur D'Alene, ID - Coordinates: 47.774723, -116.825279 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7747&lon=-116.8253&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 20, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94624 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA116 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94624/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94624 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA116 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain an appropriate descent rate during approach, which resulted in landing short of the runway threshold. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/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 170B, 91 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Terrain: snowy/icy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the final approach, the airplane was too low, which he failed to notice and correct. Subsequently, the airplane landed short of the runway threshold in about 3 ft of snow and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left lift strut, firewall, and empennage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during the final approach, the airplane was too low, which he failed to notice and correct. Subsequently, the airplane landed short of the runway threshold in about 3 feet of snow and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left lift strut, firewall, and empennage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3210A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3210A-2019-09-06), registration cancelled 2019-09-06, S/N 25854, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 170 (B) - 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: 25854 - Year built: 1953 - Airframe hours: 2710 - Engines: Continental C145 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Inceptus Inc., doing business as Latitude Aviation - Registered owner: Inceptus Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 14, 2016 - Departed: 65S, BONNERS FERRY, ID - Destination: COE, Coeur D'Alene, ID - Airport: COE, Coeur D'Alene - Pappy Boyingto, runway 02, 5,400 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 22; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 6, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 104.5 total, 10.5 in this make and model, 50 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 8.8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.44 inHg - Observed at: KCOE, 1 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 20170114000069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170114000069A), Jan 14, 2017: Cessna 170B, Coeur D Alene, ID, Substantial damage. Pilot landed short of the runway in the snow. Aircraft flipped over on its back. Pilot and passengers were not injured. Aircraft sustained damage to both… ## Other investigations on N3210A (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 WPR14CA380](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA380), Sep 19, 2014: Cessna 170B (N3210A), Portland, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing. - [NTSB CEN09CA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA293), May 13, 2009: Cessna 170B (N3210A), Roswell, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 17, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94624. 5.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452307&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452308&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. --- 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.