# NTSB WPR12CA132: Cessna 170B, N8245A, San Jose, CA, March 4, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 4, 2012, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: San Jose, CA - Coordinates: 37.332778, -121.819725 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3328&lon=-121.8197&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: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 15, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83121 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA132 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83121/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83121 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA132 ## Probable cause The pilot did not maintain directional control 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) ## Analysis During the landing roll, the airplane veered right. The pilot reported that he applied rudder inputs in an effort to correct the situation; however, he overcorrected, and the airplane veered left and exited the runway. During the accident sequence, the airplane’s right wing contacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the outboard section of the wing. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative During the landing roll after an uneventful touchdown in a tailwheel equipped airplane, the airplane veered right. The pilot reported that he applied rudder inputs in an effort to correct the situation, however, overcorrected and the airplane veered left and exited the runway. During the accident sequence, the airplane’s right wing contacted the ground which resulted in substantial damage to the outboard section of the wing. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8245A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8245A), registered now, S/N 25097, 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 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25097 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-300 SER 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Amelia Reid Aviation LLC - Registered owner: Niva Gary W - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 14, 2012 - Departed: KRHV, San Jose, CA - Destination: KRHV, San Jose, CA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: KRHV, Reid-Hillview Airport, runway 31L, 3,099 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 395 total, 4 in this make and model, 320 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.32 inHg ## 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 20120304004859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120304004859A), Mar 4, 2012: Cessna 170B, San Jose, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot stated on the first landing, the aircraft touched down in about the correct attitude. The mains didn't bounce, but the tail wheel seemed to bounce a… ## Other investigations on N8245A (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 LAX98LA287](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA287), Sep 10, 1998: Cessna 170B (N8245A), San Jose, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 5, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83121. 2.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40365356&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.