# NTSB LAX08CA070: Cessna 170B, N2571D, Truckee, CA, February 29, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 29, 2008, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Truckee, CA - Coordinates: 39.322223, -120.143608 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3222&lon=-120.1436&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67604 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA070 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67604/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA070 ## Probable cause The pilot's continued operation with a known mechanical problem and failure to maintain directional control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: landing gear brakes system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 92 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Terrain: snowy/icy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis Prior to takeoff, the pilot had conducted left and right clearing circles, and was aware that the right brake was "spongy." He decided to continue with the flight and took off on a local area flight that lasted for an hour. Upon returning to the airport, he noted that there was a southerly crosswind about 10-13 knots. The pilot performed a normal wheel-landing and the airplane began to weathervane to the left of the runway on the rollout. The pilot activated the right rudder and brake pedal to correct back to centerline, but the airplane continued to the left of the runway. As the airplane continued off the runway's edge into snow, the left main tire caught in the snow, pivoted the airplane, and the airplane came to rest on its nose. The airplane's braking system was inspected by an FAA inspector who noted that the right brake was "spongy," and that with very little applied force to the pedal it would "bottom out." ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he had taken a personal flight around the local area and when he returned about an hour later, he noted that the winds were about 10-13 knots and a crosswind existed for the active runway (runway 28). The landing was normal and as the airspeed slowed the airplane weathervaned and moved towards the edge of the runway. A landing gear tire caught the snow at the runway's edge and the airplane went up on its nose. The pilot stated that the right brake was too mushy to "hold the aircraft with strong cross wind." The pilot also stated that the brakes needed to be maintained better and that he did not realize that the brakes were too soft until it was too late. According to airport personnel the pilot reported a crosswind from the south. As the airplane landed, the airplane began to weathervane, and the pilot activated the right pedal. Airport personnel noted the winds were from 180 degrees at 13 knots. He noted a skid mark on the runway from the right main landing gear tire that began near the centerline. As the airplane continued off the runway, the left main tire went through the snow off the runway edge for about 50 feet before the airplane pivoted and came to rest on its nose. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector interviewed the pilot. The pilot stated that he was performing a wheel landing when the airplane weathervaned to the left. The pilot applied right rudder and brake to correct back to centerline, but the right pedal was soft and spongy. After departing the runway, the airplane nosed over, which caused structural damage to the right wing inboard rear spar. The pilot also reported to the FAA inspector that he knew the right brake was soft before takeoff, but decided that it was not an issue at the time as he had made left and right clearing circles on the ground prior to takeoff without any difficulty. The FAA inspector examined the brake system and noted the right brake was "spongy," and that the brake pedal would "bottom out with very little force applied." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2571D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2571D), registered now, S/N 20723, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 170B - Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20723 - Airframe hours: 4150 - Engines: Continental C-145-2 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mark Liebsch - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2007 - Departed: TRK, Truckee, CA - Destination: TRK, Truckee, CA - Airport: TRK, Truckee-Tahoe, runway 28, 8,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; seat: left; flight hours: 1,100 total, 60 in this make and model, 1,100 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: TRK ## 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 20080229011769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080229011769A), Feb 29, 2008: Cessna 170B, Truckee, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On landing runway 28 at the Truckee airport (trk), aircraft N2571D piloted by [privacy data omitted], drifted off the left side of the runway. The pilot… 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.