# NTSB GAA17CA284: Cessna 170, N9268A, Taos, NM, May 5, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 5, 2017, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Taos, NM - Coordinates: 36.449722, -105.676109 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4497&lon=-105.6761&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95183 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA284 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95183/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95183 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA284 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in gusting crosswind conditions. ## 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 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) - [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) - [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) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: 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) - [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: 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: 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 of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing in a crosswind, a strong wind gust lifted the right wing. Subsequently, the airplane exited the left side of the runway, traveled down an embankment, and came to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport revealed that, about 15 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 280° at 11 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The pilot landed on runway 22. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing touchdown in a crosswind, a strong wind gust lifted the right wing. Subsequently, the airplane exited the left side of the runway, traveled down an embankment, and came to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport reported that, about 15 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 280° at 11 knots, gusting to 17 knots. The pilot landed on runway 22. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9268A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9268A-2019-02-07), registration cancelled 2019-02-07, S/N 19029, built 1949 (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: 19029 - Year built: 1949 - Engines: Continental O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Serendipity Flying Club - Registered owner: Serendipity Flying Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 27, 2016 - Departed: PRC, PRESCOTT, AZ - Destination: SKX, Taos, NM - Airport: SKX, Taos Rgnl, runway 22, 5,504 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 2, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 455.9 total, 111 in this make and model, 455.9 as pilot in command, 6.6 in the last 90 days, 6.6 in the last 30 days, 3.9 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 11 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KSKX ## 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 20170505009629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170505009629A), May 5, 2017: Cessna 170A, Taos, NM, Substantial damage. On may 5, 2017, at 1400 MST, a Cessna 170A, N9268A, registered to serendipity flying club, lost control after landing on runway 22 at Taos, NM. Visual… ## Other investigations on N9268A (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 LAX71DUJ76](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX71DUJ76), Mar 10, 1971: Cessna 170 (N9268A), Casa Grande, AZ, substantial damage - [NTSB LAX68D0345](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX68D0345), Feb 25, 1968: Cessna 170 (N9268A), Lakeside, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 6, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95183. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 844 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457756&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 339 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457757&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.