Cessna 170 N3981V

Summary

On 13 July 1995 at about 01:30 local time, a Cessna 170 registered N3981V was involved in an accident near Columbia, California, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 July 1995 at 01:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Columbia, California, United States

Nearest airport

Columbia (O22)

Coordinates

38.1095, -120.3797

Aircraft

Cessna 170

Registration

N3981V

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Medford → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX95LA250

Nobody was injured.

the pilot's selection of the wrong runway for the existing wind conditions; his inadequate compensation for the resulting crosswind situation; and his failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

COLUMBIA AIRPORT HAS TWO RUNWAYS AVAILABLE FOR USE. RUNWAY 17-35 IS ASPHALT AND 4,670 FEET LONG, AND RUNWAY 29-11 IS A SHORTER TURF RUNWAY 2,000 FEET LONG. THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE INBOUND TO THE AIRPORT HE ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE AIRPORT ON THE CTAF FOR AN AIRPORT ADVISORY; HOWEVER, COULD NOT GET A RESPONSE. HE THEN LISTENED TO THE AIRPORT WEATHER FROM THE AUTOMATED WEATHER OBSERVING SYSTEM (AWOS) AND LEARNED THAT THE WINDS WERE FROM 280 DEGREES AT 6 KNOTS. THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND ON RUNWAY 17. THE PILOT SAID THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL, A STRONG WIND GUST CAME FROM THE RIGHT REAR AND HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE PILOT NOTED THAT HE COULD NOT REGAIN CONTROL, EVEN WITH FULL RUDDER AND BRAKE APPLICATION. THE AIRCRAFT GROUND LOOPED INTO A DITCH, DAMAGING THE FUSELAGE STRUCTURE AT THE LANDING GEAR ATTACH POINTS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.