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GAA15CA286

2015-09-30 · Springfield, Colorado, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport 8V7

Current FAA registration · N9775A

Make / Model
CESSNA 170A
Engine
CONT MOTOR C145 SERIES (145 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19550919
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S ADA0AE

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

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

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the landing flare in a left crosswind condition, he was "having trouble keeping the airplane straight." He reported that he intended on touching down with the left main landing gear first, but the airplane "rocked on the right" main landing gear. As a result, the right wing impacted the ground, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, the fuselage, and the empennage. The pilot reported that during the landing flare in a left crosswind condition, he was "having trouble keeping the airplane straight." He reported that he intended on touching down with the left main landing gear first, but the airplane "rocked on the right" main landing gear. As a result, the right wing impacted the ground, and the airplane nosed over.  The pilot reported that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing, the fuselage, and the empennage. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Crosswind correction-Not attained/maintained - C
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Ability to respond/compensate

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2015_GAA15CA286.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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