# NTSB LAX00LA029: Cessna 170A, N9063A, El Mirage, CA, October 31, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 31, 1999, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: El Mirage, CA
- Coordinates: 34.660736, -117.510169 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6607&lon=-117.5102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 6, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 47676
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA029
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47676/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA029

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of his airplane, which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - other

## Analysis

During a personal flight the pilot perceived that his airplane's engine was running rough.  He elected to make a precautionary landing on a smooth dry lakebed to evaluate the engine.  During rollout the pilot lost directional control and ground looped.  At the time, the wind was light and variable.  The pilot subsequently reported that no mechanical problems or malfunctions were experienced during the flight.

## Factual narrative

On October 31, 1999, about 1200 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 170A, N9063A, owned and operated by the pilot, ground looped during landing rollout near the El Mirage Dry Lake, about 23 nautical miles east-northeast of Palmdale, California.  The airplane was substantially damaged, and the commercial pilot was not injured.  The personal flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.  The flight originated from Santa Monica, California, about 1100.

During an interview with the Safety Board investigator, the pilot indicated that when he landed the local wind was light and variable.  The lakebed was smooth, and no mechanical malfunctions were experienced with his airplane's flight control system.

In the pilot's completed report, he indicated that his decision to land was precipitated by a "roughness in the engine," which he desired to further evaluate.  Subsequently, the pilot did not report finding evidence of any mechanical malfunction with his airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9063A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9063A-2013-08-21), registration cancelled 2013-08-21, S/N 18822, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 170A
- 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: 18822
- Airframe hours: 3335
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Andrew Bergman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 26, 1999, 25 hours before
- Departed: SMO, SANTA MONICA, CA
- Airport: Dry Lake Bed

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 409 total, 92 in this make and model, 321 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PMD, 23 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 19991031030809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991031030809A), Oct 31, 1999: Cessna 170A, El Mirage, CA, Substantial damage. (.19) On October 31, 1999, about 1200 hours pacific standard time, a Cessna 170A, N9063A, owned and operated by the pilot, ground looped during landing rollout…

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.

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