# NTSB LAX03LA146: Cessna 170A, N1607D, Twentynine Palm, CA, May 1, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 1, 2003, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Twentynine Palm, CA - Coordinates: 34.132221, -115.945831 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1322&lon=-115.9458&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 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 56940 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA146 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56940/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA146 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation and his failure to maintain aircraft control. The gusty wind condition was a contributing factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Nose over, landing - roll - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis During the landing rollout the airplane encountered a gust of wind and nosed over. The pilot stated that approaching the airport he had received the local weather information from the airport's Unicom, which indicated the wind was from 320 degrees, at 12 knots, with occasional 28-knot gusts. The pilot made a straight-in approach and touched down without incident on runway 26. During the rollout, a wind gust was encountered. The pilot indicated that despite his efforts at maintaining airplane control, he lost control and the airplane nosed over on the runway. ## Factual narrative On May 1, 2003, about 1400 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 170A, N1607D, nosed over during landing rollout at the Twentynine Palms (uncontrolled) Airport, Twentynine Palms, California. The airplane, operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged. Neither the commercial pilot nor the passenger was injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the personal flight that was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was filed. The flight originated fromTehachapi, California, about 1250. The pilot reported that approaching Twentynine Palms for landing he had received the local weather information from the airport's Unicom operator. The pilot indicated that the wind was from about 320 degrees at 12 knots, with occasional 28-knot gusts. The pilot made a straight-in approach and made a wheel landing without incident on runway 26, between 400 and 500 feet beyond the runway's threshold. During rollout, the airplane began to weathervane to the right. The pilot stated that he initially maintained directional control by applying rudder and left brake. However, as he lowered the tail he lost control when a wind gust was encountered, and the airplane nosed over on the runway. According to the pilot, during the accident no mechanical malfunctions or failures were experienced with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1607D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1607D), registered now, S/N 20249 (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: 20249 - Airframe hours: 2515 - Engines: Continental C-145 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Alvin Couturier - Registered owner: Phil E. Neff - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 14, 2002, 14 hours before - Departed: TSP, Tehachapi, CA - Destination: TNP, Twentynine Palm, CA - Airport: TNP, Twentynine Palms, runway 26, 5,531 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 20, 2002; seat: right; flight hours: 9,201 total, 340 in this make and model, 8,800 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: NXP, 15 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 20030501028489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030501028489A), May 1, 2003: Cessna 170A, Twentynine Palm, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) After landing at 29 Palms, CA., airport, the aircraft encountered a gust of wind that flipped aircraft on it's back. No injuries reported. A/c… ## Other investigations on N1607D (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 WPR26LA239](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA239), Jun 27, 2026: Cessna 170A (N1607D), El Cajon, CA, substantial damage, investigation ongoing 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.