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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 12, 1996 · Cessna 170B · N3156A

Lewistown, MT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 12, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Lewistown, MT
Aircraft
Cessna 170B
Tail Number
N3156A
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA96LA153

The pilot stated that he made an approach to land on the runway with a moderate crosswind. He stated that at about 3 feet above the runway, the wind died or reversed. The airplane bounced; during the bounce, the wind started to turn the airplane. The pilot was unable to control the directional change, and the airplane ground-looped, sustaining substantial damage.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for the changing wind conditions, and his failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve. The sudden windshift was a related factor.

Full Narrative

On July 12, 1996, approximately 1600 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 170B, N3156A, sustained substantial damage when it ground-looped during landing at Lewistown, Montana. The private pilot and his passenger were uninjured. A VFR flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated at Cut Bank, Montana about two hours earlier. The ELT did not actuate. The pilot stated that he had approached with a moderate crosswind, and at about 3 feet above the runway the wind died or reversed. The airplane bounced; during the bounce the wind started to turn the airplane. The pilot was unable to control the directional change and the airplane ground-looped, damaging the left wing tip and left elevator tip. .

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 MDT
Nearest AirportLewistown Municipal (0nm)
Runway25
Runway Length5600 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 170B
Tail NumberN3156A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-145 · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 55 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data