No fatalities

21 Jun 2012: CESSNA 170B — Concord, CA

Concord, CA, United States

On 21 Jun 2012, a CESSNA 170B was involved in an aviation accident near Concord, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while landing in gusting crosswind conditions. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During a gusting crosswind landing, a tailwheel airplane's left wing struck the runway after the pilot applied corrective control input when a wind gust lifted the right wing, resulting in substantial damage.

Summary

A tailwheel-equipped airplane sustained substantial damage during a landing in gusting crosswind conditions. While flaring, a wind gust lifted the right wing, prompting the pilot to apply corrective control input. Subsequently, the left wing struck the runway, damaging the aileron and outboard wing skins. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine.

Narrative

The pilot was performing a landing in gusting crosswind conditions. During the landing flare, a sudden wind gust caused the right wing to lift. The pilot responded with corrective control input. This action led to the left wing contacting the runway, resulting in substantial damage to the aileron and the outboard portion of the wing skins. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical issues with the airframe or engine before the incident that would have prevented normal operation.

Damage Assessment

The accident resulted in substantial damage to the left wing's aileron and outboard wing skins. No other damage details were provided.

Reported Conditions

The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Contributing factors

Causes

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Other contributing factors

Effect on equipment