# NTSB WPR13CA024: Cessna 170A, N1332D, Calexico, CA, October 27, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 27, 2012, 12:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Calexico, CA - Coordinates: 32.667499, -115.517501 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6675&lon=-115.5175&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 85447 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA024 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85447/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85447 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA024 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an attempted go-around, which resulted in a runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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 170A, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072304), [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-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot/co-owner of the tailwheel-equipped airplane overflew the non-towered, paved airport to determine the wind conditions, which he determined to be from the northwest about 6 to 8 knots. He then flew a traffic pattern for landing on runway 26. During the landing flare the airplane began to drift left of the runway centerline, and at touchdown the tail of the airplane swerved to the left. The pilot unsuccessfully attempted to correct the airplane's path then initiated a go-around. He reported that after adding full power for the go-around, the airplane was headed to the right, at an angle that he estimated to be about 45 degrees from the runway alignment. Before the airplane could become airborne, it exited the right side of the runway and struck a low earthen berm. The airplane came to rest upright, with the right main landing gear fractured and separated from the fuselage. Additional damage included a bent propeller, a crushed nose cowl, crush damage to the lower fuselage, and bending and crush damage to both wings. There were no recorded meteorological data for the accident airport, but review of meteorological data from an airport about 10 miles north indicated conditions similar to those reported by the pilot. The pilot reported approximately 2,000 hours of a total flight experience, including about 30 hours in the accident airplane make and model in the past 30 days. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation and that he was uncertain why he lost directional control. ## Factual narrative The private pilot/co-owner of the tailwheel-equipped airplane overflew the non-towered, paved airport to determine the wind conditions, which he determined to be from the northwest at about 6 to 8 knots. He then flew a traffic pattern for landing on runway 26, which was 75 feet wide. During the landing flare the airplane began to drift left of the runway centerline, and at touchdown, the tail of the airplane swerved to the left. The pilot unsuccessfully attempted to correct the airplane's path, and then initiated a go-around. He reported that after adding full power for the go-around, the airplane was headed to the right, at an angle that he estimated to be about 45 degrees from the runway alignment. Before the airplane could become airborne, it exited the right side of the runway and struck a low earthen berm. The impact resulted in damage, and the end of the takeoff attempt. The airplane came to rest upright, with the right main landing gear fracture-separated from the fuselage. Additional damage included a bent propeller, a crushed nose cowl, crush damage to the lower fuselage, and bending and crush damage to both wings. Neither the pilot nor his passenger was injured, and both exited via the right-side cabin door. There was no fire. There was no recorded meteorological data for the accident airport, but review of meteorological data from an airport about 10 miles north of the accident airport indicated conditions similar to what the pilot reported. According to the pilot, he had a total flight experience of approximately 2,000 hours, including about 30 hours in the accident airplane make and model in the past 30 days. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical deficiencies or failures that contributed to the accident, but that he was uncertain as to exactly why he lost directional control. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1332D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1332D-2018-02-12), registration cancelled 2018-02-12, S/N 19908, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 170A - Registry model: [Cessna 170A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170a) (registry code 2072304) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 19908 - Airframe hours: 2628 - Engines: CONT MOTOR C145 SERIES 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 2012 - Departed: MMRG, Rancho Grande - Destination: cxl, Calexico, CA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: cxl, Calexico, runway 26, 4,683 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 23, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 30 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: IPL, 10 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 20121027024329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121027024329A), Oct 27, 2012: Cessna 170A, Calexico, CA, Destroyed. N1332D, a Cessna C170A lost control on landing at Calexico airport. (Runway 26) the pilot attempted a go-around but could not climb and impacted the ground a… ## Other investigations on N1332D (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 CHI76DEP27](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI76DEP27), Apr 3, 1976: Cessna 170A (N1332D), Hartford, WI, substantial damage ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 5, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85447. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 472 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40381045&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - METARs (item 2, .PDF, 167 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40381046&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=METARs-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Front View of Airplane in Situ (item 3, .PDF, 589 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40381047&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Front%20View%20of%20Airplane%20in%20Situ-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Right Side View of Airplane in Situ (item 4, .PDF, 754 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40381048&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Right%20Side%20View%20of%20Airplane%20in%20Situ-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - View looking west with airplane and runway (item 5, .PDF, 564 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40381049&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20View%20looking%20west%20with%20airplane%20and%20runway-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.