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WPR12CA269

2012-06-18 · Pullman, Washington, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport KPUW

Current FAA registration · N2580D

Make / Model
CESSNA 170B
Year of manufacture
1952 · 60 years old at event
Engine
CONT MOTOR C145 SERIES (145 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19560418
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A27792

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing in gusting crosswind conditions and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action.

Factual narrative

The certified flight instructor (CFI) was providing tailwheel instruction to a pilot who was going to purchase the accident airplane. They had completed 10.7 hours and 56 landings. The pilot planned to depart the following morning with the airplane owner so the CFI felt pressure to complete the pilot’s training. While practicing three point landings, the wind was gusting to 19 knots. After touchdown, the airplane began tracking to the right. The CFI was guarding the controls closely, but consciously tried to let the pilot recover on his own. The airplane then entered a swerve to the right which he was unable to correct with full application of left rudder and brake. The CFI reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The flight instructor was providing tailwheel instruction to a pilot who was going to purchase the accident airplane. They had completed 10.7 hours and 56 landings. Because the pilot planned to depart the following morning with the current airplane owner, the flight instructor said that he felt pressure to complete the pilot’s training that day. While practicing three point landings, the wind was gusting to 19 knots. After touchdown, the airplane began tracking to the right. The flight instructor stated that he was guarding the controls closely but delayed assuming control of the airplane to let the pilot correct the situation on his own. The airplane then swerved to the right, and the flight instructor was unable to regain directional control despite full application of left rudder and brake. When the airplane ran off the runway, the airplane’s left wing and aft fuselage were damaged. The flight instructor reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Effect on operation
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Delayed action-Instructor/check pilot - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2012_WPR12CA269.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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Related research

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