- Date
- July 12, 1995, 18:30 local (Jul 13, 1995, 01:30 UTC)
- Place
- Columbia, CA
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Landing
- Aircraft
- N3981VCessna 170
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report January 29, 1996
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19950712019959A
- Case key
- 29148
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
the pilot's selection of the wrong runway for the existing wind conditions; his inadequate compensation for the resulting crosswind situation; and his failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
Columbia airport has two runways available for use. Runway 17-35 is asphalt and 4,670 feet long, and runway 29-11 is a shorter turf runway 2,000 feet long. The pilot stated that while inbound to the airport he attempted to contact the airport on the CTAF for an airport advisory; however, could not get a response. He then listened to the airport weather from the automated weather observing system (AWOS) and learned that the winds were from 280 degrees at 6 knots. The pilot elected to land on runway 17. The pilot said that during the landing roll, a strong wind gust came from the right rear and he lost directional control. The pilot noted that he could not regain control, even with full rudder and brake application. The aircraft ground looped into a ditch, damaging the fuselage structure at the landing gear attach points.
Factual narrative
On July 12, 1995, at 1830 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 170, N3981V, ground looped following a bounced landing at Columbia, California. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot and was on a personal cross-country flight from Medford, Oregon, to Columbia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight originated at Medford on the day of the accident at 1630.
Columbia airport has two runways available for use. Runway 17-35 is asphalt and 4,670 feet long, and runway 29-11 is a shorter turf runway 2,000 feet long.
The pilot stated that while inbound to the airport he attempted to contact the airport on the CTAF for an airport advisory; however, could not get a response. He then listened to the airport weather from the Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) and learned that the winds were from 280 degrees at 6 knots. The pilot elected to land on runway 17. The pilot said that during the landing roll, a strong wind gust came from the right rear and he lost directional control. The pilot noted that he could not regain control, even with full rudder and brake application. The aircraft ground looped into a ditch, damaging the fuselage structure at the landing gear attach points.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N3981V
- Reported as
- Cessna 170
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 18300
- Airframe hours
- 3,689
- Engine
- Continental C-145, 145 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- William E. Dorrell
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · December 1, 1994 · 68 hours before
- Departed
- MFR · Medford, OR
- Destination
- O22
- Airport
- O22 · Columbia, runway 17, 4,670 × 75 ft, asphalt
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 57
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 1, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 936 total · 521 in this make and model · 787 as pilot in command · 52 in the last 90 days · 25 in the last 30 days · 9 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 280° at 6 knots
- Visibility
- 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 75 °F
- Observed at
- O22
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.