# NTSB MKC86LA064: Cessna 170A, N1493D, Gardner, KS, February 23, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 23, 1986, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Gardner, KS
- Coordinates: 38.809394, -94.919624 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8094&lon=-94.9196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34140
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86LA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34140/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86LA064

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll
  - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - failure,partial (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - aircraft parked/standing

## Analysis

THE IP AND STUDENT HAD BEEN PRACTICING LANDINGS AT ANOTHER AIRPORT AND WAS LANDING AT THIS AIRPORT FOR FUEL. THERE WAS A CROSSWIND AT THE AIRPORT AND THE IP MADE THE APPROACH AND LANDING. A WITNESS STATED THAT THE TOUCHDOWN WAS THREE POINT IN THE CESSNA 170A AND IT ROLLED STRAIGHT FOR SOME DISTANCE, THEN STARTED A GRADUAL TURN TO THE RIGHT AND CONTINUED UNTIL IT IMPACTED TWO PARKED AIRPLANES. HEAVY SKID MARKS FROM THE LEFT TIRE WERE FOUND ON AND ALONGSIDE THE RUNWAY. INVESTIGATION INDICATED PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE STEERABLE TAILWHEEL. THE TAILWHEEL WOULD NOT STAY IN THE LOCKED POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1493D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1493D), registered now, S/N 20095, built 1951 (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: 20095
- Airframe hours: 3000
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: James A Mercier
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 18, 1985
- Departed: IDX, OLATHE, KS
- Airport: K34, Municipal, runway 26, 3,030 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 2,477 total, 13 in this make and model, 2,324 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IDX, 2 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 19860223020639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860223020639A), Feb 23, 1986: Cessna 170A, Gardner, KS, Substantial damage. Scott steerable tailwheel malfunctioned. Went full swivel. Could not stop veer with brakes. Hit 2 parked airplanes.

## Other investigations on N1493D (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 MKC75FCD40](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC75FCD40), Apr 5, 1975: Cessna 170A (N1493D), Montezuma, IA, 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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