# NTSB GAA17CA204: Cessna 170, N9953A, Death Valley, CA, March 26, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 25, 2017, 18:06 local (Mar 26, 2017, 01:06 UTC) - Place: Death Valley, CA - Coordinates: 36.806667, -117.781669 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8067&lon=-117.7817&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 15, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94914 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA204 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94914/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94914 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA204 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper compensation for crosswind conditions during the landing flare and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control during the 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: 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) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); 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) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); 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) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: 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: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing on a backcountry dirt airstrip in a crosswind, the airplane touched down and bounced. He added that he attempted to maintain directional control, but a "[wind] gust weathervaned the aircraft nose left," and the right main landing gear wheel dug into the ground during the second touchdown. Subsequently, the airplane ground looped to the left, and the right wing impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during landing on a backcountry dirt airstrip in a crosswind, the airplane touched down and bounced. He added that he attempted to maintain directional control, but a "[wind] gust weathervaned the aircraft nose left" and the right main landing gear wheel dug into the ground during the second touchdown. Subsequently, the airplane ground looped to the left and the right wing impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9953A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9953A-2019-11-04), registration cancelled 2019-11-04, S/N 19313, built 1950 (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: 19313 - Year built: 1950 - Airframe hours: 4841.1 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-300A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2016 - Departed: L00, ROSAMOND, CA - Destination: Death Valley, CA - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 27, 2015; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 971 total, 404 in this make and model, 894 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: KBIH, 44 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 20170325003299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170325003299A), Mar 25, 2017: Cessna 170A, Death Valley, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft departed rosamond airpark (L00) and landed at the Chicken Strip Airport, California. Upon touchdown the aircraft bounced and the pilot lost… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 20, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94914. 424 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 262 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453769&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 163 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40451349&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20Pilot)-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.