# NTSB LAX83LA392: Cessna 17OA, N5478C, Ramona, CA, August 15, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1983, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Ramona, CA
- Coordinates: 33.070835, -116.83097 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0708&lon=-116.8310&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23824
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA392
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23824/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA392

## 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
  - touch-and-go - initiated, pilot in command
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS PRACTICING TOUCH-AND-GO LANDINGS IN WINDS THAT WERE VARIABLE AT 5 GUSTING 10 KTS. ON HIS 4TH LANDING, HE TOUCHED DOWN USING THE 'FULL STALL TECHNIQUE.' HE REPORTED THAT AFTER TOUCHING DOWN, HE TURNED OFF THE CARBURETOR HEAT & RAISED THE FLAPS, THEN WITHOUT WARNING, THE ACFT BEGAN YAWING TO THE RIGHT. DESPITE RECOVERY EFFORTS, HE LOST CONTROL, THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY & THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED. THE PLT STATED THAT WHEN HE WAS ON FINAL TO LAND ON RWY 27, THE WIND WAS FROM THE NORTHWEST, BUT AFTER THE ACCIDENT, HE NOTED THAT IT HAD SHIFTED TO THE EAST. ABOUT 15 MIN LATER, THE WIND SHIFTED BACK TOWARD THE WEST AGAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5478C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5478C-2022-07-30), registration cancelled 2022-07-30, S/N 19512, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 17OA
- 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: 19512
- Airframe hours: 2310
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Steven A. Macey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 1983, 2 hours before
- Airport: L39, Ramona, runway 27, 4,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; military, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,271 total, 8 in this make and model, 3,956 as pilot in command, 121 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19830815040529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830815040529A), Aug 15, 1983: Cessna 170A, Ramona, CA, Substantial damage. Wind shifted on touchdown. Pilot lost control. Ground looped off the runway collapsing the left main gear.

## Other investigations on N5478C (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 WPR20LA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA097), Feb 27, 2020: Cessna 170 (N5478C), Baker City, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the No. 2 connecting rod bearing as a result of oil starvation due to a contaminated oil filter screen.

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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