# NTSB WPR23LA233: Cessna 170B, N8223A, Elko, NV, June 16, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 16, 2023, 15:02 local (22:02 UTC) - Place: Elko, NV - Coordinates: 40.824999, -115.79133 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8250&lon=-115.7913&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Reno FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 192407 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA233 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192407/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192407 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA233 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of control after encountering a dust devil during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: dust devil/whirlwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 38 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034060/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (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. - [Takeoff: 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) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that the winds at the airport were light and variable each of the three times he checked before takeoff. He performed a three-point takeoff, and as soon as he applied back pressure to the yoke, he observed a dust devil to the right and in front of the airplane. The airplane rolled aggressively left and he applied corrective control inputs as the airplane drifted to the left side of the runway. The main gear impacted vegetation, the airplane rolled, and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. A review of the Federal Aviation Administration Aviation (FAA) Weather Handbook (FAA-H-8083-28) and the FAA Aeronautical Information Manual found no detailed information listed about dust devils or the potential hazards of flying through dust devils. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8223A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8223A), registered now, S/N 25075 (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: 25075 - Year built: 1952 - Airframe hours: 4580 - Engines: Continental O-300D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 2023 - Departed: ELK, Elko, NV - Destination: S87, Weiser, ID - Airport: EKO, Elko Regional Airport, runway 30, 3,015 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; flight instructor, private, commercial, military, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 8, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 4,638 total, 11 in this make and model, 1,806 as pilot in command, 105 in the last 90 days, 52 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 3 knots, gusting 14 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KBAM, 59 nm away - METAR: METAR KBAM 162215Z AUTO 36003G14KT 10SM CLR 25/00 A3012 RMK AO1= ## 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 20230616013149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230616013149A), Jun 16, 2023: Cessna 170B, Elko, NV, Substantial damage. On June 16, 2023, at approximately 3:02 PDT, pilot was conducting personnal 14 CFR 91 flight stopping at eko for fuel. Light vairiable winds were reported… ## Other investigations on N8223A (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 ANC77DAG15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC77DAG15), Sep 19, 1976: Cessna 170B (N8223A), Tatitlek, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 26, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192407. 12.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 12 pages, 9.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15759978&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=SMITH,A%20%E2%80%A2%20NTSB%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15759988&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%201-Rel.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.