On September 28, 2001, a Cessna 170B (registration N3465D) was involved in an aviation accident near Wildwood, NJ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors were the crosswind and the gusts. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported that on short final to runway 28, a gust of wind caused the airplane to drop and ground loop. Wind data from the airport AWOS showed gusty conditions before and after the accident.
Incident Overview
According to the pilot's report, the airplane was on short final approach to runway 28 when it encountered a gust of wind. The airplane subsequently dropped to the ground and ground looped.
Wind Conditions
The airport's automated weather observing system (AWOS) recorded wind data before and after the accident. Prior to the accident, the winds were from 320 degrees at 8 knots with gusts to 15 knots. A few minutes after the accident, the winds were from 310 degrees at 12 knots with gusts to 15 knots. The pilot estimated that the winds at the time of the accident were from 270 degrees at 10 knots with gusts to 15 knots.
Pilot's Statement
The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented "by coming in with more airspeed, possibly." No further details about the aircraft, injuries, or damage were provided in the report.