# NTSB LAX93LA001: Cessna 170B, N2515D, Prescott, AZ, October 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 2, 1992, 12:19 local (19:19 UTC)
- Place: Prescott, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.619628, -112.419128 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6196&lon=-112.4191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27837
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27837/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA001

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND IMPROPER USE OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS AND BRAKES.

## 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
  - weather condition - high density altitude
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll

## Analysis

A CESSNA 170B GROUND LOOPED DURING LANDING ROLL ON RUNWAY 11. THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER REPORTED THE WINDS WERE DOWN THE RUNWAY AT 6 KNOTS.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE WINDS WERE FROM THE SOUTHEAST WHICH REQUIRED A RIGHT CRAB ANGLE WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH.  ON TOUCH DOWN THE PILOT APPLIED THE BRAKES AS THE LEFT WING RAISED LIFTING ITS WHEEL OFF THE GROUND.  THE AIRPLANE TURNED RIGHT ON THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR AND GROUND LOOPED. THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR TOUCHED DOWN AND COLLAPSED BRINGING THE AIRPLANE TO A HALT.  THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS ABOUT 7,500 FEET MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2515D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2515D), registered now, S/N 20667, 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: 20667
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145-2HO 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Darrah, Lee
- Registered owner: Darrah, Lee
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1992, 4 hours before
- Departed: VGT, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Destination: PRC
- Airport: PRC, Ernest A. Love Field, runway 11, 4,408 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 750 total, 86 in this make and model, 700 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 65 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PRC, 1 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 19921002040089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921002040089A), Oct 2, 1992: Cessna 170B, Prescott, AZ, Substantial damage. Wind gust lifted wing on landing roll. Lost control and ground looped.

## Other investigations on N2515D (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 OAK79DXQ19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK79DXQ19), Jun 10, 1979: Cessna 170B (N2515D), Reno, NV, substantial damage

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.