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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

June 15, 2001 · Cessna 170B · N4338B

Payson, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 15, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Payson, AZ
Aircraft
Cessna 170B
Tail Number
N4338B
Operator
Joe F West
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX01LA209

The pilot touched down on runway 24 with a light (3 knot) right quartering tailwind from 040 degrees. The airplane bounced and the pilot overcorrected during his attempted recovery. The pilot lost directional control following application of brakes. During his overcorrection, the airplane's tires deposited 300 feet of skid marks on the runway following which the airplane veered off the side of the runway. The pilot indicated that the accident could have been prevented had he acquired more experience handling his airplane in the existing conditions.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and improper corrective action while landing in a quartering tailwind condition. A contributing factor was his lack of experience in the type of operation.

Full Narrative

On June 15, 2001, about 0745 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 170B, N4338B, veered off runway 24 and collided with an embankment following a bounced landing at the Payson Airport, Payson, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed. The personal flight was performed under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot owned and operated the airplane, and it was substantially damaged during the mishap. Neither the private pilot nor the pilot-rated passenger was injured. The flight originated from the Falcon Field, Mesa, Arizona, about 0715. The pilot verbally indicated to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that the airplane initially touched down smoothly but it subsequently bounced, and he attempted to recover. The stall warning horn activated, directional control was lost, and while depositing about 300 feet of skid marks on the runway's surface, the airplane exited off the side of the runway. The pilot-rated passenger verbally indicated to the Safety Board investigator that the pilot's final approach was normal, and the pilot performed a perfect, smooth wheel landing. However, the airplane then began veering left and the pilot attempted to correct. He overcorrected when heavy brakes were applied, and the airplane veered right and exited off the side of the runway. In the pilot's completed accident report, he indicated that he had overcorrected for the crosswind condition upon encountering a wind gust. He also reported that his total experience flying airplanes was 84.8 hours, of which 47.2 hours were as pilot-in-command in the accident model of airplane. He indicated that the accident could have been prevented had he more training handling the airplane in crosswind and gust conditions. According to the airport’s Automatic Weather Observation System (AWOS) about 0800 the local wind was from 040 degrees. Its speed was 3 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:45 MST
Nearest AirportPAYSON (0nm)
Runway24
Runway Length5500 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 170B
Tail NumberN4338B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJoe F West
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300 · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 41 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 14 C
Altimeter30.13 inHg
Observation Time15:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data