# NTSB LAX93LA321: Cessna 170B, N2294D, Lakeport, CA, August 9, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 9, 1993, 14:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Lakeport, CA
- Coordinates: 39.040294, -122.929733 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0403&lon=-122.9297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28446
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA321
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28446/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA321

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing wind conditions and his failure to maintain directional control.

## 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 - crosswind
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - overload

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, DURING THE LANDING ROLL A GUST OF WIND CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO VEER OFF THE RUNWAY AND HE WAS UNABLE TO REGAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL BEFORE THE AIRCRAFT GROUND LOOPED.

## Factual narrative

On August 9, 1993, at 1415 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 170B, N2294D, ground looped on landing at the Lakeport, California, airport.  The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation.  The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the wings and the fuselage structure surrounding the gear attach points.  Neither the certificated private pilot nor his one passenger were injured.  The flight originated at Oakland, California, on the day of the mishap at about 1330 hours as a personal cross country flight to Lakeport.

According to the pilot, during the landing roll out a gust of wind caused the aircraft to veer off the runway and he was unable to regain directional control before the aircraft ground looped.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2294D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2294D), registered now, S/N 20446, 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: 20446
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Daniel E. Wheeler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 18, 1993, 36 hours before
- Departed: OAK, OAKLAND, CA
- Airport: 102, Lakeport Lampson Fld, runway 28, 3,600 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,238 total, 1,604 in this make and model, 2,238 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19930809030759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930809030759A), Aug 9, 1993: Cessna STC170, Lakeport, CA, Substantial damage. Ground looped landing in a crosswind. Blamed wind gust.

## Other investigations on N2294D (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 LAX97LA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA146), Apr 5, 1997: Cessna 170B (N2294D), Furnace Creek, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Fuel starvation resulting from disconnection of the fuel selector valve. Factors which contributed to the accident were the pilot's intentional operation with known airplane deficiencies and the…

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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