NYC01LA227

The pilot reported that on short final to runway 28, the airplane was struck by a gust of wind and the airplane dropped to the ground and ground looped. The airport AWOS recorded winds from 320 degrees at 8 knots with gusts to 15 knots before the accident, and a few minutes after the accident, the winds were from 310 degrees at 12 knots with gusts to 15 knots. The pilot estimated the winds were from 270 degrees at 10 knots with gusts to 15 knots. The pilot also stated that the accident could have been prevented, "...by coming in with more airspeed, possibly."

On September 28, 2001, at 1208 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 170B, N3465D, was substantially damaged while landing at Cape May County Airport, Wildwood, New Jersey. The certificated commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local fish spotting flight. No flight plan had been filed for the flight that was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot was returning to the airport when the accident occurred. According to a written statement from the pilot:

"...I landed my C-170 hard at Cape May when I caught a gust of wind, and I lost all my air speed and she dropped, and I was too low to do anything."

A pilot rated passenger onboard the airplane stated:

"When we were approx 2 or 3 feet off the ground, a gust lifted the upwind wing of the aircraft and pulled the tail left. The left wing struck the runway and the tail came back around and straightened the airplane. During the gust, the pilot (undecipherable word) the throttle and punched a full left up aileron control movement, one tire touched and she pulled back the throttle. The tail came back around and up and the prop struck. We slowed and the plane was down. We taxied to the tie down."

A witness stated:

"...Aircraft was on approach for rwy 28, and after crossing rwy 19, the aircraft seemed to be rocking from left to right. the aircraft touched down at twy B, and was tilted to the left side and was hit by a cross wind causing damage to the right wing."

An FAA inspector was in the traffic pattern and observed the accident. He reported that he examined the airplane and observed the left wing and spar bent upward. In addition, the propeller was bent, and the airplane structure around the landing gear was distorted.

In the Safety Board Form 6120.1/2, under, "Recommendation (How Could This Accident Have Been Prevented)", the pilot stated:

"This accident might have been prevented by coming in with more airspeed, possibly."

The pilot reported the winds were from 270 degrees at 10 knots, with gusts to 25 knots.

According to the recorded winds from WWD, at 1155, they were from 320 degrees at 8 knots with gusts to 15 knots. At 1215, they were from 310 degrees at 12 knots, with gusts to 15 knots.