# NTSB WPR12CA273: Cessna 170B, N1640D, Concord, CA, June 21, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 21, 2012, 16:20 local (23:20 UTC) - Place: Concord, CA - Coordinates: 37.989444, -122.05722 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9894&lon=-122.0572&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Adminstration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84054 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA273 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84054/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84054 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA273 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing in gusting crosswind conditions. ## 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 equipment; 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) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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) - [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-flare/touchdown: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was performing a landing in gusting crosswind conditions in the tailwheel-equipped airplane. During the landing flare, a wind gust lifted the airplane’s right wing. The pilot applied corrective control input and then landed. After he parked the airplane, the pilot realized that the airplane’s left wing had contacted the runway during the landing flare, causing substantial damage to the aileron and outboard wing skins. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot was performing a landing during gusting crosswind conditions in the tailwheel-equipped airplane. During the landing flare, a wind gust lifted the right wing, and the pilot applied corrective control input. The left wing subsequently struck the runway, causing substantial damage to the aileron and outboard wing skins. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1640D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1640D), registered now, S/N 20282, 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: 20282 - Airframe hours: 2466 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C145 SERIES 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 2011 - Departed: E45, Groveland, CA - Destination: CCR, Concord, CA - Airport: CCR, Buchanan Field Airport, runway 19L, 2,770 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 25, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 1,000 total, 408 in this make and model, 900 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 16 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: KCCR ## 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 20120621011599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120621011599A), Jun 21, 2012: Cessna 170B, Concord, CA, Substantial damage. Left wing struck ground while landing at Buchanan Field Airport, Concord CA. 1 POB, uninjured, substantial damage to aircraft. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 16, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84054. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 523 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372886&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – Left Aileron (item 2, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372027&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Left%20Aileron-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.