Cessna C-170 N11576 accident, Kennebunkport, ME, Aug 31, 2003 · NTSB IAD03CA072

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point, which resulted in the abrupt maneuver and subsequent failure of the landing gear.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Abrupt maneuverLanding - roll

Proper touchdown point - not obtainedPilot in commandCause

Gear collapsedLanding - roll

Analysis

The pilot had not flown into the airport previously, but he visited the airport the day before the accident. He walked the runway and noted the obstacles located at both ends. The morning of the accident, the pilot flew to the airport, and noted the 4-6 knot wind favored runway 20. During landing, the airplane touched down about half way down the runway. When the pilot realized that he would not be able to stop before reaching the end of the runway, he made a hard left turn. During the turn, the right main landing gear failed. Runway 20 was a 1,000-foot-long and 200-foot-wide turf runway, with 35-foot trees located at both ends. There were also 25-foot power lines located at the end of runway 20. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane or engine, and weather at a nearby airport included calm winds.

Factual narrative

On August 31, 2003, at 0850 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 170, N11576, was substantially damaged during landing at Back Acres Airport (ME46), Kennebunkport, Maine. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight that originated at Biddeford Municipal Airport (B19), Biddeford, Maine, about 0830. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot was interviewed by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. According to the pilot, he had never flown into Back Acres Airport, and visited the airport the day before the accident. He walked the runway and noted the obstacles located at both ends. The following morning, the pilot flew to the airport, and noted the 4-6 knot wind favored runway 20. During landing, the airplane touched down about half way down the runway. When the pilot realized that he would not be able to stop before reaching the end of the runway, he made a hard left turn. During the turn, the right main landing gear broke.

An FAA inspector performed an examination of the airplane. The examination revealed that the right main landing gear had folded under the airplane and buckled the floorboard. The right wing tip was slightly damaged, and the wing was pushed up a few inches at the wing root. Runway 2/20 was a 1,000-foot-long and 200-foot-wide turf runway, with 35-foot trees located at both ends. According to the FAA inspector, there were also 25-foot power lines located at the end of runway 20.

The pilot reported a total of 2,000 hours; 450 hours in tail wheel aircraft, of which 40 hours were in make and model. The pilot also reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane or engine.

Weather at Sanford Regional Airport (SFM), Sanford, Maine, about 13 nautical miles east, at 0855, included calm winds, visibility 10 statute miles, clear skies, temperature 61 degrees F, dewpoint 46 degrees F, and a barometric pressure setting of 30.34 inches HG.

Aircraft

Registration: N11576
Reported as: Cessna C-170
Category: Airplane
Serial number: unk
Engine: Continental C-145, reciprocating
Damage: Substantial damage
Flight: Personal · Part 91
Operator: James Baker
Registered owner: Christian Baker
Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
Departed: B19 · Biddeford, ME
Destination: ME46 · Kennebunkport, ME
Airport: ME46 · Back Acres, runway 20, 1,000 × 200 ft, grass/turf

N11576Registration cancelled Feb 17, 2012 · Cessna 170S/N 19080 Airframe modelCessna 170

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role: Pilot
Age: 61
Injuries: None
Certificate: Commercial
Airplane ratings: Single-engine land
Medical: Unknown
Flight hours: 2,000 total · 40 in this make and model

Weather

Conditions: Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind: Calm
Visibility: 10 statute miles
Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 46 °F
Altimeter: 30.34 inHg

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.

Accident 20030831021029ACessna 170 · Kennebunkport, ME(-23) At approximately 08:50 am on August 31, 2003, the pilot and only occupant of a 1949 Cessna model 170, N11576, was conducting a short field approach to a private landing site located at 286 goose rocks road, Kennebunkport, Maine, the private landing site…Aug 31, 2003 · N11576 · Substantial damage

Other investigations on N11576 · 1

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

NTSB ATL83LA017Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportYoungsville, NCWhile landing, the pilot touched down fast after crossing over power lines near approach end of the runway. He used the brakes to slow down, but was unaware that the wheels were skidding on the grass until the plane came to a bare patch of ground. According…Oct 27, 1982 · Substantial damage