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NTSB Report

August 31, 2003 · Cessna C-170 · N11576

Kennebunkport, ME

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 31, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Kennebunkport, ME
Aircraft
Cessna C-170
Tail Number
N11576
Operator
James Baker
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
IAD03CA072

The pilot had not flown into the airport previously, but he visited the airport the day before the accident. He walked the runway and noted the obstacles located at both ends. The morning of the accident, the pilot flew to the airport, and noted the 4-6 knot wind favored runway 20. During landing, the airplane touched down about half way down the runway. When the pilot realized that he would not be able to stop before reaching the end of the runway, he made a hard left turn. During the turn, the right main landing gear failed. Runway 20 was a 1,000-foot-long and 200-foot-wide turf runway, with 35-foot trees located at both ends. There were also 25-foot power lines located at the end of runway 20. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane or engine, and weather at a nearby airport included calm winds.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point, which resulted in the abrupt maneuver and subsequent failure of the landing gear.

Full Narrative

On August 31, 2003, at 0850 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 170, N11576, was substantially damaged during landing at Back Acres Airport (ME46), Kennebunkport, Maine. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight that originated at Biddeford Municipal Airport (B19), Biddeford, Maine, about 0830. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot was interviewed by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. According to the pilot, he had never flown into Back Acres Airport, and visited the airport the day before the accident. He walked the runway and noted the obstacles located at both ends. The following morning, the pilot flew to the airport, and noted the 4-6 knot wind favored runway 20. During landing, the airplane touched down about half way down the runway. When the pilot realized that he would not be able to stop before reaching the end of the runway, he made a hard left turn. During the turn, the right main landing gear broke. An FAA inspector performed an examination of the airplane. The examination revealed that the right main landing gear had folded under the airplane and buckled the floorboard. The right wing tip was slightly damaged, and the wing was pushed up a few inches at the wing root. Runway 2/20 was a 1,000-foot-long and 200-foot-wide turf runway, with 35-foot trees located at both ends. According to the FAA inspector, there were also 25-foot power lines located at the end of runway 20. The pilot reported a total of 2,000 hours; 450 hours in tail wheel aircraft, of which 40 hours were in make and model. The pilot also reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane or engine. Weather at Sanford Regional Airport (SFM), Sanford, Maine, about 13 nautical miles east, at 0855, included calm winds, visibility 10 statute miles, clear skies, temperature 61 degrees F, dewpoint 46 degrees F, and a barometric pressure setting of 30.34 inches HG.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:50 EDT
Nearest AirportBack Acres (0nm)
Runway20
Runway Length1000 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna C-170
Tail NumberN11576
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJames Baker
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-145 · Reciprocating

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · Unknown · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 46
Altimeter30.34 inHg

Appendix: Source Data