# NTSB WPR13CA168: Cessna 170, N3826V, Livermore, CA, March 21, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 21, 2013, 15:10 local (22:10 UTC) - Place: Livermore, CA - Coordinates: 37.693332, -121.820274 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6933&lon=-121.8203&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: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report July 18, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 86532 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA168 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86532/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86532 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA168 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to 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 170, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072302), [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 170, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072302), [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 170, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 170, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after a normal landing, the tailwheel-equipped airplane began to drift right and that he applied control inputs to counteract the drift. The airplane then started to veer to the left, and the pilot applied right rudder to stop that movement; however, his foot became entangled in the rudder pedal, and the airplane ground looped. Subsequently, the right main landing gear collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that following a normal landing, the tail wheel equipped airplane began to drift to the right and he applied control inputs to counteract the drift. The airplane then started to veer to the left and he applied right rudder to stop the movement, however his foot became entangled in the rudder pedal and the airplane ground looped. Subsequently, the right main landing gear collapsed which resulted in substantial damage to the forward area of the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3826V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3826V-2018-03-13), registration cancelled 2018-03-13, S/N 18684, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 170 - Registry model: [Cessna 170](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170) (registry code 2072302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18684 - Airframe hours: 4547 - Engines: Continental Motors O-300A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Don Davis - Registered owner: Don Davis - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 2, 2012, 30 hours before - Departed: LVK, Livermore, CA - Destination: LVK, Livermore, CA - Airport: LVK, Livermore Municipal Airport, runway 21L, 2,699 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 84; injuries: serious; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 4,834 total, 3,516 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: LVK ## 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 20130321005229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130321005229A), Mar 21, 2013: Cessna 170, Livermore, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot on landing "roll out" stated that [SIC] roll out was normal. Pc then drifted to the left and ground looped off the runway. PIC than stated [SIC]: upon… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 19, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86532. 493 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 468 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390401&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390402&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-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.