Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 170B near Parker, AZ — 2010-06-23

Final reportWPR10LA312
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Date
2010-06-23
Location
Parker, AZ, USA
Airport
P20
Aircraft
CESSNA 170B
Registration
N432PB
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing with a crosswind.

NTSB narrative

An airport employee stated that the pilot called for an airport advisory several minutes before he landed. He reported that at that time the wind was from 220 degrees at 7 knots. The pilot reported that as he approached the airport, the wind was from 255 degrees at about 7 knots, a direct crosswind for either runway; therefore, he elected to land on runway 1. The pilot said that while on approach, when he first saw the windsock, it appeared to be partially inflated, but as he approached touchdown the windsock was straight out. After the airplane touched down, the left wing rose up and the right wing and propeller contacted the runway. The airplane cartwheeled, departed the right side of the runway, and came to rest upright. Both wing tips were bent up during the accident. Subsequently, a fire erupted, which consumed the fuselage. Postaccident inspection of the airplane confirmed control continuity to all flight control surfaces. The pilot also reported that it was obvious that the crosswind was more than he or the airplane could handle and that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen to go around due to crosswind conditions.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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