# NTSB SEA97LA160: Cessna 170B, N211R, Jackson, WY, July 6, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 6, 1997, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Jackson, WY - Coordinates: 43.469573, -110.759788 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4696&lon=-110.7598&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 24, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42649 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA160 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42649/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA160 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Gusting wind conditions was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot reported to airport personnel that a gust of wind struck the airplane as it was about to touch down. The pilot stated that he was unable to maintain directional control as the airplane veered off the runway and subsequently nosed over. At the time of the accident, the airport wind conditions were reported as the wind from 240 degrees at nine knots with gusts to 16 knots. The pilot was landing on runway 18. ## Factual narrative On July 6, 1997, at 1700 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 170B, N211R, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, nosed over after the pilot was unable to maintain directional control during the landing roll at Jackson, Wyoming. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight had departed from Guernsey, Wyoming, earlier in the day. Witnesses to the accident reported that the airplane was having trouble maintaining a straight landing. One witness reported that it (airplane) "was really wobbly." After the accident the pilot stated to airport personnel that as the airplane was just about to touch down, a gust of wind hit the airplane and he (pilot) was unable to "keep the airplane going straight." The aircraft veered to the left side of the runway and onto the left main landing gear and wing. The airplane then veered back to the right (centerline) and nosed over. The pilot reported in a written statement that the airplane was stopped on the runway when a gust of wind tipped the airplane upon end and nosed over. The Jackson Hole Airport Incident Report indicates that skid marks on the runway were measured for approximately 336 feet before the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted on the runway. At the time of the accident, the Jackson Airport was reporting winds from 240 degrees at nine knots, with gusting winds to 16 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N211R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N211R-2016-01-20), registration cancelled 2016-01-20, S/N 20672, 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: 20672 - Engines: Continental C145 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sharon L. Trembley - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 7V6, GUERNSEY, WY - Airport: JAC, Jackson Hole, runway 18, 6,299 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total, 4,500 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 9 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: JAC ## 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 19970706045089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970706045089A), Jul 6, 1997: Cessna 170B, Jackson, WY, Substantial damage. Lost directional control landing. Nosed over trying to regain control with brakes. Blames wind gusts. High tail time. ## Other investigations on N211R (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 ERA14LA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA146), Mar 8, 2014: Cessna 170B (N211R), Mulberry, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the pilot and the parachutist to see and avoid each other, which resulted in the airplane’s wing colliding with the parachute’s suspension lines. - [NTSB MIA68D0231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA68D0231), Sep 9, 1967: Cessna 170B (N211R), Naples, 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.