# NTSB GAA18CA278: Cessna 170, N2485D, Zelienople, PA, May 12, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 12, 2018, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Zelienople, PA - Coordinates: 40.801944, -80.160835 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8019&lon=-80.1608&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97246 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA278 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97246/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97246 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA278 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## 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 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) - [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 170B, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: 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) ## Analysis According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, during the landing roll with the tailwheel on the ground, the airplane may have encountered a wind gust. The airplane exited the runway to the left, and the left main landing gear struck a taxiway sign. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left main landing gear attachment points, the lower fuselage longeron, and the elevator. The pilot reported that the wind at the airport about the time of the accident was variable at 4 knots and that skies were clear. The nearest METAR to the accident site, located 11 miles to the west, reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 270° at 8 knots with lightning in the distance to the northwest. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 35. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented if he had more quickly applied corrective actions, including increasing right rudder pedal pressure, using more differential braking, and increasing right aileron input. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, during the landing roll with the tailwheel on the ground, the airplane may have encountered a wind gust. The airplane exited the runway to the left, and the left main landing gear struck a taxiway sign. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left main landing gear attachment points, the lower fuselage longeron, and the elevator. The pilot reported that the wind at the accident airport about the time of the accident was variable at 4 knots and skies were clear. The METAR nearest the accident site was located 11 miles to the west and reported that the wind about the time of the accident was from 270° at 8 knots, with lightning in the distance to the northwest. The pilot landed to runway 35. Per the National Transportation Safety Board, Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, in the Recommendation section, the pilot asserted that the accident could have been prevented if he had more quickly applied corrective actions including increased right rudder pedal pressure, more differential braking, and increased right aileron input. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2485D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2485D), registered now, S/N 20637, built 1952 (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: 20637 - Year built: 1952 - Airframe hours: 3308.9 - Engines: CONTINENTAL C145 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Draggin Tail Pilots LLC. - Registered owner: Draggin Tail Pilots LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 28, 2018 - Departed: PJC, Zelienople, PA - Destination: PJC, Zelienople, PA - Airport: PJC, Zelienople Muni, runway 35, 4,933 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 4, 2017; seat: left; flight hours: 226.6 total, 42 in this make and model, 150.6 as pilot in command, 14.6 in the last 90 days, 2.5 in the last 30 days, 1.3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KBVI, 11 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 20180512005279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180512005279A), May 12, 2018: Cessna 170B, Zelienople, PA, Substantial damage. Pilot statement: "On Saturday may 12, 2018 I departed kpjc at about 9:30 am for a local flight. I flew to kbtp and did one landing, then flew to kucp and did… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 29, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97246. 3.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467746&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 95 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467747&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.