# NTSB SEA97LA019: Cessna 170B, N2419D, Utica, MT, October 25, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 25, 1996, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Utica, MT - Coordinates: 46.859081, -110.190216 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8591&lon=-110.1902&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 3, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42533 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA019 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42533/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA019 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper use of the brakes, while landing a tailwheel aircraft in crosswind conditions. The crosswind was a related factor. ## Analysis While attempting a 'full-stall' landing in a left crosswind, the pilot applied hard right brake, when the nose of the aircraft began to swing into the wind. His breaking was hard enough to cause the right wheel to lock up, and the aircraft immediately started to swing in the opposite direction. Without reducing the right brake action, he also then applied the left brake with sufficient force to result in the aircraft nosing over. ## Factual narrative On October 25, 1996, approximately 0930 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 170, N2419D, nosed over while landing on a grass airstrip near Utica, Montana. Neither the private pilot nor his passenger were injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The personal pleasure flight, which departed Stanford, Montana about 10 minutes earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot, he attempted a full-stall landing with a 12 knot left crosswind blowing about 30 to 40 degrees from the runway heading. His left main gear touched down first, and when his right main gear touched down, the tail of the aircraft began to swing to the right. Instead of applying right rudder and/or adding power, the pilot applied "...hard right brake..." The pilot said that the brake was applied hard enough that it resulted in the right wheel locking up, whereupon the tail then began to swing to the left. Without releasing the right brake, the pilot then also applied the left brake, which according to him "...made the aircraft nose over." According to the pilot, the right brake remained locked up even after he exited the aircraft. On the NTSB 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented "...by not applying brake so hard." ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Nose over, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2419D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2419D), registered now, S/N 20571, 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: 20571 - Engines: Continental C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Noel, Robert - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: S64, STANFORD, MT - Airport: Rogers Ranch, runway 3, 2,600 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 400 total, 25 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 12 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 30 °F ## 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 19961025044039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961025044039A), Oct 25, 1996: Cessna 170B, Utica, MT, Substantial damage. Nosed over on crosswind landing on farm strip. Used brakes too hard to compensate for crosswind. ## Other investigations on N2419D (2) 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 MKC71DDQ26](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC71DDQ26), Mar 29, 1971: Cessna 170 (N2419D), Wsngtn Spgs, SD, substantial damage - [NTSB UNK64X0362](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X0362), Jan 26, 1964: Cessna 170B (N2419D), Pensacola, FL, 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.