On August 6, 2009, a CESSNA 170A was involved in an aviation accident near Aurora, IL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During a wheels landing in a conventional gear airplane, a gust of wind caused the tail to rise, leading to a skid off the runway and impact with a ditch, resulting in substantial damage.
Accident Overview
A private pilot was conducting a normal traffic pattern for a wheels landing in a conventional landing gear airplane. After touchdown, the pilot applied a small amount of forward pressure on the yoke to keep the tail up. The pilot reported that the tail then encountered a gust of wind from the left, prompting the application of right rudder to correct.
Sequence of Events
The airplane subsequently skidded off the left side of the runway and impacted a ditch. The right wing, right horizontal stabilizer, and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane prior to or during the accident.
Contributing factors
Directional control — Not attained/maintainedPilot
What happened in the 6 Aug 2009 CESSNA 170A accident near Aurora, IL?
During a wheels landing in a conventional gear airplane, a gust of wind caused the tail to rise, leading to a skid off the runway and impact with a ditch, resulting in substantial damage.
Were there any fatalities in the 6 Aug 2009 CESSNA 170A accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 6 Aug 2009 involved a CESSNA 170A, at Aurora, IL.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing.
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