# NTSB NYC03LA141: Cessna 170B, N2741C, Brandy Station, VA, June 29, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 29, 2003, 14:40 local (18:40 UTC) - Place: Brandy Station, VA - Coordinates: 38.526668, -77.858612 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5267&lon=-77.8586&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 57360 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA141 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57360/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA141 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare and his improper recovery from a bounced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - runway - Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis The pilot was performing a three point landing (full stall landing). He flared high, and the tailwheel contacted the runway first. The main landing struck the runway, and the airplane bounced back into the air. The pilot added power, and the airplane rolled left, and struck the ground again. The right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing struck the runway. The pilot's total flight experience was 208 hours, including 28 hours in tail wheel airplanes, all in make and model. He reported that he had performed about 30 three point landings, and 20 wheel landings. Although the pilot reported that the airplane was struck by a gust of wind, a check of the airport weather revealed calm winds. ## Factual narrative On June 29, 2003, about 1440 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 170B, N2741C, was substantially damaged while landing at Culpeper Regional Airport (CJR), Brandy Station, Virginia. The certificated private pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, which originated from Rostraver Airport (P53), Monongahela, Pennsylvania. No flight plan had been filed for the personal flight that was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated: "Attempting a three point landing, I flared high, and the tailwheel contacted the runway first. The main gear struck hard causing the aircraft to bounce severely. At the apex of the bounce arc, I applied power to prevent the aircraft from nosing-over. A witness,...stated that at the same time that he heard the application of power a gust of cross wind lifted the right wing. "A combination of engine torque and cross wind rolled the aircraft to the left; the left wing tip contacted the runway. The main gear struck the runway with the aircraft traveling sideways causing the right gear leg to fail. The right wing struck next breaking the carry-thru wing spars. The aircraft came to rest on the left edge of Runway 4 with the fuselage on its right side at about a 45 degree list." An Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the right main landing gear had collapsed under the fuselage. The propeller tips were curled forward, and the right wing was bent up. When interviewed, the pilot reported that he added power when the airplane bounced and the engine responded to his movement of the throttle. The pilot reported his total flight experience was 208 hours, which included 28 hours in make and model, and in the preceding 90 days. This airplane comprised the pilot's total tail wheel experience. The pilot reported that in the 28 hours he had been flying the Cessna 170B, he had performed about 30 full stall landings and 20 wheel landings. Between 1400 and 1600, there were seven automated weather observations at the airport. The peak wind recorded was 4 knots, with no gusts. At the time of the accident, the winds were reported to be calm. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2741C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2741C), registered now, S/N 26285, 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: 26285 - Airframe hours: 3417 - Engines: Continental C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 19, 2002, 42 hours before - Departed: P53, Belle Vernon, PA - Destination: CJR, Brandy Station, VA - Airport: CRJ, Culpepper Regional Airport, runway 4, 4,002 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 27, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 205 total, 29 in this make and model, 135 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: CJR ## 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 20030629017479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030629017479A), Jun 29, 2003: Cessna 170B, Culpeper, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) At 1500 local 29 June, 2003, aircraft N2741C sustained substantial damage while landing at Culpeper airport (cjr), Culpeper Virginia. The pilot stated he… ## Other investigations on N2741C (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 CHI82DA224](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA224), Jun 22, 1982: Cessna 170B (N2741C), Fowlerville, MI, 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.