# NTSB LAX95LA250: Cessna 170, N3981V, Columbia, CA, July 13, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 12, 1995, 18:30 local (Jul 13, 1995, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Columbia, CA - Coordinates: 38.109485, -120.37973 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1095&lon=-120.3797&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29148 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA250 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29148/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA250 ## 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - crosswind - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch - landing gear,main gear - overload ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3981V), registered now, S/N 18300, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 170 - Registry model: [Cessna 170](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170) (registry code 2072302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18300 - Airframe hours: 3689 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19950712019959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950712019959A), Jul 12, 1995: Cessna 170, Columbia, CA, Substantial damage. Landing crosswind. Gusts lifted a wing ground looped into a ditch. Shorted runway but into wind was available. 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.