# NTSB SEA99LA158: Cessna 170B, N3476D, Auburn, WA, September 10, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 10, 1999, 13:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Auburn, WA - Coordinates: 47.299945, -122.370674 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2999&lon=-122.3707&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 2, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47388 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA99LA158 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47388/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA158 ## Probable cause Loss of directional control due to deficient brakes and tailwheel. Factors include leaking brake cylinder, loose tailwheel casting, and obstructions (VASI lights) in the path of the airplane as it left the runway. ## 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 - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - loose part/bolt/nut/clamp/etc (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - landing gear,normal brake system - leak (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - vasi light/system (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he had made a three-point touchdown. Shortly after touchdown, he felt very heavy shaking or vibration from the tailwheel and the airplane veered to the left. He attempted to correct with right rudder and right brake, but was unable to bring the airplane back onto the runway. The airplane was observed to depart the left side of the runway at a low speed and impact VASI lights, damaging the right side aft fuselage and the elevator. Witnesses noted that they could hear the vibration from nearby hangars, and could see the tailwheel jerking to the right and left, after what was described as a very smooth touchdown. FAA inspectors inspected the damaged airplane and noted that the right brake cylinder was leaking, and the tailwheel casting was loose at the attachment point with the tailwheel leaf spring. ## Factual narrative On September 10, 1999, approximately 1345 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 170B, N3476D, sustained substantial damage when it struck VASI lights during landing roll at Auburn municipal airport, Auburn, Washington. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant and registered owner of the airplane, was uninjured. The flight, conducted in visual meteorological conditions under 14 CFR 91, originated at Puyallup, Washington, about 20 minutes earlier. There was no report of the ELT actuating, and no flight plan was filed for the flight. The pilot stated that he had made a three-point touchdown on runway 34. Shortly after touchdown, he felt very heavy shaking or vibration from the tailwheel and the airplane "veered violently to the left." He attempted to correct with right rudder and right brake, but was unable to bring the airplane back onto the runway. The airplane was observed to depart the left side of the runway at a low speed and impact VASI lights, damaging the right side aft fuselage and the elevator. Witnesses noted that they could hear the vibration from hangars adjacent to the east taxiway, and could see the tailwheel jerking to the right and left, after what was described as a very smooth touchdown. The pilot stated that his approach speed was right at 70 miles per hour, and his touchdown speed was somewhere between 45 and 55 mph. FAA inspectors inspected the damaged airplane and noted that the right brake cylinder was leaking. Additionally, the tailwheel casting was loose at the attachment point with the tailwheel leaf spring. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3476D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3476D-2012-06-11), registration cancelled 2012-06-11, S/N 27019, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 170B - Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 27019 - Airframe hours: 2072 - Engines: Continental O-300A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Eric R. Cooley - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 1998, 25 hours before - Departed: 1SO, PUYALLUP, WA - Destination: S50 - Airport: S50, Auburn, runway 34, 3,500 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,800 total, 480 in this make and model, 3,570 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KSE, 6 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 19990910046559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990910046559A), Sep 10, 1999: Cessna 170B, Auburn, WA, No damage. (-23)Upon landing to the north at Auburn field, the pilot felt and heard a vibration, the airplane was heading about 20 to the left. The pilot applied the… ## Other investigations on N3476D (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 SEA76DYA13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA76DYA13), Sep 9, 1975: Cessna 170B (N3476D), Mccall, ID, 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.