# NTSB WPR12CA011: Cessna 170B, N8261A, Ramona, CA, October 14, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 14, 2011, 10:05 local (17:05 UTC) - Place: Ramona, CA - Coordinates: 33.039165, -116.915275 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0392&lon=-116.9153&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 1, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Adminstration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82070 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA011 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82070/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82070 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA011 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 91 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane was performing the last approach after a series of touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. The airplane bounced after the main wheels touched the runway, and veered to the left. The pilot applied rudder and aileron control inputs; however, the airplane continued to pull to the left. As the airplane approached the runway edge, the pilot applied the brakes, but the airplane departed the runway and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the aft fuselage structure during the accident sequence. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. She further stated that the accident could have been avoided if she had reacted to the divergence sooner and applied full aft elevator control during the roll. ## Factual narrative The private pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane was performing the last approach after a series of touch-and-go landings. The airplane bounced after the main wheels touched the runway, and the airplane veered to the left. The pilot applied rudder and aileron control inputs, however, the airplane continued to pull to the left. As the airplane approached the runway edge, she applied the brakes, and the airplane subsequently departed the runway and nosed over. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. She further stated that the accident could have been avoided if she reacted to the divergence sooner, and applied full aft elevator control during the roll. Winds at the time of the accident were calm. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the aft fuselage structure during the accident sequence. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8261A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8261A-2018-06-01), registration cancelled 2018-06-01, S/N 25113, 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: 25113 - Airframe hours: 5200 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-300 D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2011, 10 hours before - Departed: RNM, Ramona, CA - Destination: RNM, Ramona, CA - Airport: RNM, Ramona, runway 27, 5,001 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 29, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 588 total, 242 in this make and model, 374 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: RNM ## 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 20111014025319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111014025319A), Oct 14, 2011: Cessna 170B, Ramona, CA, Substantial damage. The pilot of the tail wheel aircraft was performing the last approach after a series of touch and go landings. The aircraft bounced after the main wheels… ## Other investigations on N8261A (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 LAX66D0200](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX66D0200), Dec 13, 1965: Cessna 170B (N8261A), Carlsbad, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 20, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82070. 562 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 299 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355863&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1: Airplane Damage (item 2, .PDF, 79 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356202&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20%20Airplane%20Damage-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Airplane Damage (item 3, .PDF, 81 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355917&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Airplane%20Damage-Master.PDF - Photo 3: Airplane Damage (item 4, .PDF, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355918&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%3A%20Airplane%20Damage-Master.PDF 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.