# NTSB MKC86LA063: Cessna 170B, N3400C, Alliance, NE, February 21, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 21, 1986, 17:55 local (23:55 UTC)
- Place: Alliance, NE
- Coordinates: 42.099697, -102.86985 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0997&lon=-102.8698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34139
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86LA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34139/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86LA063

## 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 - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD JUST COMPLETED A BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW IN ALLIANCE, NEBRASKA AND WAS RETURNING TO LAND ON HIS RANCH PROPERTY SOUTH OF ALLIANCE. WIND RPTS FM THE ALLIANCE AIRPORT, AND THE FAA FLIGHT SERVICE STATION IN SCOTTSBLUFF, INDICATED WINDS GENERALLY FM THE SOUTHWEST TO WEST AT SPEEDS FM 14 TO 26 KNOTS. THE PLT WAS AWARE OF THE WIND CONDITIONS IN THE AREA, BUT LANDED DOWNWIND ON A ROAD HE USES FOR A LANDING STRIP ON HIS RANCH PROPERTY. THE PLT LOST CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL AND VEERED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD INTO UNEVEN TERRAIN. THE WING STRUCK TERRAIN DURING THE DEPARTURE FM THE ROAD SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGING THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3400C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3400C-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N 26443, built 1954 (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: 26443
- Airframe hours: 2813
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Grover G. Thompson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 18, 1985
- Departed: A1A, ALLIANCE, NE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,200 total, 928 in this make and model, 1,131 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: A1A, 12 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 19860221014799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860221014799A), Feb 21, 1986: Cessna 170B, Alliance, NE, Substantial damage. Wing struck the ground after aircraft veered off side of the road used as a runway. The landing was downwind.

## Other investigations on N3400C (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 UNK64X1668](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X1668), May 8, 1964: Cessna 170B (N3400C), Topeka, KS, 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.

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