# NTSB SEA98LA075: Cessna 170, N2534V, Auburn, WA, May 17, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 17, 1998, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Auburn, WA - Coordinates: 47.29977, -122.260986 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2998&lon=-122.2610&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 10, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42785 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA98LA075 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42785/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA075 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for gusty crosswind conditions. A related factor was gusty crosswinds. ## 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 - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot reported that after starting his landing rollout, 'a gust of wind picked up my right wing [and] blew me off the runway.' The pilot reported his left wingtip subsequently struck the ground, turning the plane 90 degrees, and that the airplane then touched down in a soft field about 100 feet away. The airplane's right main wheel dug in and the airplane tipped up on its right wing. The pilot reported a crosswind from the left at 17 knots, gusting to 25 knots, during the landing, and reported no mechanical malfunction or failure was involved. ## Factual narrative On May 17, 1998, approximately 1600 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 170, N2534V, was substantially damaged when it departed the runway surface during landing at Auburn Municipal Airport, Auburn, Washington. The private pilot-in-command, who was the aircraft's owner and its sole occupant, was not injured. The 14 CFR 91 personal flight was on a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan from Astoria, Oregon, and visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported: ...I landed [to the south]...and started my rollout, when a gust of wind picked up my right wing [and blew] me off the runway. I added power [and] my left wing tip hit the ground [and] turned the plane 90 [degrees], I flew over to a field that was [soft] about 100' away [and] cut the power and let it settle down. The ground was soft [and] my right wheel dug in the dirt. The plane tilted over on the wing [and] bent the right wing tip[, then] bounced back on its wheels. The pilot reported winds at the airport at that time as being from 090 degrees at 17 knots, gusting to 25 knots. The pilot indicated on his NTSB accident report that no mechanical malfunction or failure was involved in the accident. As to how the accident could have been prevented, the pilot recommended on his NTSB accident report: "Waiting to land when winds are not as strong." Seattle/Tacoma International Airport, approximately 8 nautical miles north-northwest of Auburn Municipal, reported winds from 220 degrees true (200 degrees magnetic) at 11 knots at 1556. The 1556 Seattle/Tacoma observation reported that rain there ended at 1529, and also reported moderate cumulus and showers to the northeast and east of Seattle/Tacoma International. Auburn's single runway, runway 16/34, is a 3,400 by 75 foot asphalt-surface runway. The airport is equipped with a windsock and segmented circle located at approximately midfield, to the west of the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2534V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2534V-2014-09-22), registration cancelled 2014-09-22, S/N 18038, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 170 - Registry model: [Cessna 170](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170) (registry code 2072302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18038 - Airframe hours: 3400 - Engines: Continental O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: David W. Verstrate - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 24, 1998, 20 hours before - Departed: AST, ASTORIA, OR - Destination: S50 - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: S50, Auburn Muni, runway 16, 3,400 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,200 total, 50 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft broken - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SEA, 8 nm away ## 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 19980517009619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980517009619A), May 17, 1998: Cessna 170, Auburn, WA, Substantial damage. Pilot lost control of the acft on landing and damaged the wings while exiting the rwy. Auburn, WA. (.4)the pilot reported that after starting his landing… ## Other investigations on N2534V (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 SEA04LA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA050), Mar 1, 2004: Cessna 170 (N2534V), Herron, WA, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The failure of the left muffler while maneuvering, resulting in a carbon monoxide leak into the cabin rendering the pilot incapacitated, and the subsequent uncontrolled descent and impact with water. - [NTSB SEA70D0108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA70D0108), Sep 19, 1969: Cessna 170 (N2534V), Alderwod Mnr, WA, 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.