No fatalities

Pilot Reports Loss of Control During Crosswind Landing Leading to Nose-Over

Springfield, CO, United States

On October 1, 2015, a CESSNA 170A B was involved in an aviation accident near Springfield, CO. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing flare, which resulted in a collision with terrain, and a nose over. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

During a landing flare in a left crosswind, the pilot had trouble maintaining directional control. The airplane rocked onto the right main landing gear, causing the right wing to strike the ground and the aircraft to nose over, resulting in substantial damage.

Incident Overview

A pilot reported that during the landing flare in a left crosswind condition, he experienced difficulty keeping the airplane aligned with the runway. The pilot stated that his intention was to touch down with the left main landing gear first, but instead the airplane rocked onto the right main landing gear. This movement caused the right wing to impact the ground, and the airplane subsequently nosed over.

Pilot Report

The pilot noted no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the right wing, the fuselage, and the empennage as a result of the accident.

Damage Assessment

According to the pilot, the damage was limited to structural components: the right wing, fuselage, and empennage. No other details regarding the extent of damage were provided.

Contributing factors

Causes

PilotCrosswind correction — Not attained/maintained

Other contributing factors

Ability to respond/compensate

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1 Oct 2015 CESSNA 170A B accident near Springfield, CO?

During a landing flare in a left crosswind, the pilot had trouble maintaining directional control. The airplane rocked onto the right main landing gear, causing the right wing to strike the ground and the aircraft to nose over, resulting in substantial damage.

Were there any fatalities in the 1 Oct 2015 CESSNA 170A B accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1 Oct 2015 involved a CESSNA 170A B, at Springfield, CO.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing flare, which resulted in a collision with terrain, and a nose over.