# NTSB LAX02LA168: Cessna 170B, N4338B, Show Low, AZ, May 19, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 19, 2002, 09:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Show Low, AZ - Coordinates: 34.229175, -110.069015 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2292&lon=-110.0690&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 23, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flt Standards Dist Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 54735 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA168 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54735/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54735 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA168 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing resulted in a loss of aircraft control. A factor was a sudden wind shift on final approach. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - recovery from bounced landing - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - sudden windshift (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot made a hard landing when, about 20 feet above the ground on final approach, the wind shifted from a headwind to a direct crosswind. The airplane dropped and bounced. The pilot tried to recover with full power, but the stalled wing fell and hit the ground. The airplane cartwheeled and sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. ## Factual narrative On May 19, 2002, about 0915 mountain standard time, a Cessna 170B, N4338B, made a hard landing at Show Low, Arizona. The owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal cross-country flight departed Falcon Field, Mesa, Arizona, about 0800. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot stated that about 20 feet above the ground on final approach, the wind shifted from a headwind to a direct crosswind. The airplane dropped and bounced. The pilot tried to recover with full power, but he said the stalled wing fell and hit the ground. The airplane cartwheeled and sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4338B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4338B-2007-09-18), registration cancelled 2007-09-18, S/N 26682, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 170B - Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 26682 - Engines: Continental o-360 140 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Joe F. West - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, May 10, 2002, 3 hours before - Departed: FFZ, MESA, AZ - Destination: SOW, SHOW LOW, AZ - Airport: SOW, Show Low ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 105 total, 48 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 7 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: SOW ## Other investigations on N4338B (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 LAX01LA209](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA209), Jun 15, 2001: Cessna 170B (N4338B), Payson, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and improper corrective action while landing in a quartering tailwind condition. A contributing factor was his lack of experience in the type of… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 3, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54735. 346 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 346 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438627&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.