Summary
On March 26, 2017, a Cessna 170 (N9953A) was involved in an accident near Death Valley, CA. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries, with 2 people uninjured out of 4 aboard. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot’s improper compensation for crosswind conditions during the landing flare and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control during the landing.
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during landing on a backcountry dirt airstrip in a crosswind, the airplane touched down and bounced. He added that he attempted to maintain directional control, but a "[wind] gust weathervaned the aircraft nose left" and the right main landing gear wheel dug into the ground during the second touchdown. Subsequently, the airplane ground looped to the left and the right wing impacted the ground.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
This accident is documented in NTSB report GAA17CA204. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N9953A.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s improper compensation for crosswind conditions during the landing flare and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control during the landing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during landing on a backcountry dirt airstrip in a crosswind, the airplane touched down and bounced. He added that he attempted to maintain directional control, but a "[wind] gust weathervaned the aircraft nose left" and the right main landing gear wheel dug into the ground during the second touchdown. Subsequently, the airplane ground looped to the left and the right wing impacted the ground.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA17CA204