# NTSB IAD03CA072: Cessna C-170, N11576, Kennebunkport, ME, August 31, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 31, 2003, 08:50 local (12:50 UTC) - Place: Kennebunkport, ME - Coordinates: 44.693515, -69.380973 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6935&lon=-69.3810&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 58075 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD03CA072 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58075/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Abrupt maneuver, landing - roll - proper touchdown point - not obtained, pilot in command (cause) - Gear collapsed, landing - 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N11576-2012-02-17), registration cancelled 2012-02-17, S/N 19080 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna C-170 - Registry model: [Cessna 170](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170) (registry code 2072302) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: unk - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20030831021029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030831021029A), Aug 31, 2003: Cessna 170, Kennebunkport, ME, Substantial damage. (-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… ## Other investigations on N11576 (1) 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 ATL83LA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA017), Oct 27, 1982: Cessna 170A (N11576), Youngsville, NC, substantial damage 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.