# NTSB MIA08CA037: Cessna 170A, N5407C, Ellsworth, ME, January 6, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 6, 2008, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Ellsworth, ME - Coordinates: 44.635276, -68.632499 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6353&lon=-68.6325&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 67354 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08CA037 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67354/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08CA037 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: residence/building](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 58 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot elected to land at the private airstrip without permission and initiated an approach to the snow-covered, 1,200 foot-long runway with a slight crosswind from the left. After touchdown near the right edge of the runway, the airplane bounced several times, then began yawing to the left. The airplane then began a right arcing turn, and collided with a snow bank and a building. ## Factual narrative The pilot elected to land at the private airstrip without permission and initiated an approach to the snow covered 1,200 foot long runway with a slight crosswind from the left. After touchdown near the right edge of the runway, the airplane bounced several times, then began yawing to the left. The airplane then began a right arcing turn, and collided with a snow bank and a building. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5407C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5407C-2018-01-24), registration cancelled 2018-01-24, S/N 19441, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 170A - 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: 19441 - Airframe hours: 4330.41 - Engines: Continental C145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Joshua H. Platner & Andrew N. Peterson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2007 - Departed: KBST, Belfast, ME - Destination: Ellsworth, ME - Airport: NONE, Philbrick Mountain, runway 01, 1,200 × 24 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 679 total, 350 in this make and model, 656 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KBGR ## 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 20080106011009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080106011009A), Jan 6, 2008: Cessna 170A, Ellsworth, ME, Substantial damage. (-23) Airman failed to obtain information relating to landing area conditions and weather at destination. Airman did not contact airfield owner or other… ## Other investigations on N5407C (2) 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 MIA70D0279](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA70D0279), Dec 20, 1969: Cessna 170A (N5407C), Bessemer, AL, substantial damage - [NTSB MIA67O0070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA67O0070), Jul 15, 1966: Cessna 170 (N5407C), Evergreen, AL, 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.