# NTSB WPR12CA269: Cessna 170B, N2580D, Pullman, WA, June 19, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 18, 2012, 19:00 local (Jun 19, 2012, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Pullman, WA - Coordinates: 46.74361, -117.109443 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7436&lon=-117.1094&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 September 13, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administation - NTSB case key (mKey): 84025 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA269 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84025/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84025 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA269 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing in gusting crosswind conditions and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [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) ## 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: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor was providing tailwheel instruction to a pilot who was going to purchase the accident airplane. They had completed 10.7 hours and 56 landings. Because the pilot planned to depart the following morning with the current airplane owner, the flight instructor said that he felt pressure to complete the pilot’s training that day. While practicing three point landings, the wind was gusting to 19 knots. After touchdown, the airplane began tracking to the right. The flight instructor stated that he was guarding the controls closely but delayed assuming control of the airplane to let the pilot correct the situation on his own. The airplane then swerved to the right, and the flight instructor was unable to regain directional control despite full application of left rudder and brake. When the airplane ran off the runway, the airplane’s left wing and aft fuselage were damaged. The flight instructor reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The certified flight instructor (CFI) was providing tailwheel instruction to a pilot who was going to purchase the accident airplane. They had completed 10.7 hours and 56 landings. The pilot planned to depart the following morning with the airplane owner so the CFI felt pressure to complete the pilot’s training. While practicing three point landings, the wind was gusting to 19 knots. After touchdown, the airplane began tracking to the right. The CFI was guarding the controls closely, but consciously tried to let the pilot recover on his own. The airplane then entered a swerve to the right which he was unable to correct with full application of left rudder and brake. The CFI reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2580D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2580D), registered now, S/N 20732, 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: 20732 - Airframe hours: 7100 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Inter-State Aviation - Registered owner: Peter W Kuckenberg - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 2011, 34 hours before - Departed: KPUW, Pullman, WA - Destination: KPUW, Pullman, WA - Airport: KPUW, Pullman/Moscow Regional, runway 23, 6,730 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 27; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 22, 2012; seat: right; flight hours: 1,825 total, 11 in this make and model - Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 25, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 86 total, 11 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 11 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KPUW ## 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 20120618011419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120618011419A), Jun 18, 2012: Cessna 170B, Pullman, WA, Substantial damage. N2580D, a 1952 Cessna 170 airplane recieved substantial damage as the result of a ground-loop accident at the Pullman/Moscow regional airport. Damage was… ## Other investigations on N2580D (3) 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 ANC15LA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15LA008), Jan 21, 2015: Cessna 170B (N2580D), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion. - [NTSB ANC69D0034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC69D0034), Sep 14, 1968: Cessna 170B (N2580D), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB UNK64X1573](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X1573), May 2, 1964: Cessna 170B (N2580D), Wheeling, WV, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 11, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84025. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 580 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371925&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1. Damage to Left Wing (item 2, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370974&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Damage%20to%20Left%20Wing-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.