# NTSB SEA96LA158: Cessna 170B, N170EC, Arlington, WA, July 13, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 13, 1996, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Arlington, WA - Coordinates: 48.179233, -121.669868 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.1792&lon=-121.6699&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42420 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA158 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42420/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA158 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve. The crosswind and wet runway were related factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - Main gear collapsed, landing - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot told FAA inspectors that a gust of wind lifted a wing at touchdown, and subsequently, the right main landing gear collapsed after loss of directional control. In a written accident report, the pilot noted that as soon as the airplane touched down, he felt a hard pull to the right. He compensated for it and applied opposite rudder and aileron. The pilot said the wind was blowing 15 to 20 knots, perpendicular to the runway. He stated that he tried to correct for the wind, but subsequently, the airplane slid sideways about 15 to 20 degrees westerly off the runway heading. The runway was a temporary grass runway, which was being kept watered down in order to minimize dust. ## Factual narrative On July 13, 1996, at 1300 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 170B, N170EC, sustained substantial damage during landing on a temporary grass runway at Arlington, Washington airport. The commercial pilot and his two passengers were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which originated at Auburn airport, Auburn, Washington. The ELT actuated, but did not assist in locating the accident. The pilot told FAA inspectors that a gust of wind lifted the wing at touchdown and the right main landing gear collapsed after loss of directional control. In his written accident report, he stated that as soon as he touched down he felt a hard pull to the right. He compensated for it and applied opposite rudder and aileron. He stated that " then realized that it was sliding with very little brake action available also about that time I realized the wind was blowing a good 15 to 20 knots 90 degrees from the runway. I tried to correct for the wind but by now it made no difference, I was sliding sideways about 15 to 20 degrees westerly off runway heading." In his written report, he also noted that the right wheel fairing, which had separated, was full of dirt and mud. He walked back to where the airplane started to slide, which was near the original touchdown point. He noted that the runway was damp, and he was told that it was kept watered down to keep the dust down. The pilot believed that the right wheel fairing had filled up with mud and locked the wheel up, causing the wheel to act like a brake on the right side. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N170EC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N170EC), registered now, S/N 20800, built 1952 (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: 20330 - Airframe hours: 2512 - Engines: Continental C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Eric R. Cooley - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 3, 1996, 14 hours before - Departed: 25Q, AURBURN, WA - Destination: AWO - Airport: S88, Arlington Municipal, runway 34, 5,300 × ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,500 total, 89 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: AWO ## 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 19960713016969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960713016969A), Jul 13, 1996: Cessna 170B, Arlington, WA, Substantial damage. Report wind gust lifted wing on touchdown. Lost control. Folded right mian gear. Blamed mud in wheel pant. 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.