Flight Encountered Light Turbulence And A Little Bit Of Windshear On Short Final

Location: Pottstown, PA Accident Number: ERA20LA338
Date & Time: September 22, 2020, 12:18 Local Registration: N2772D
Aircraft: Cessna 170 Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On September 22, 2020, about 1218 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 170B, N2772D, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Pottstown, Pennsylvania. The pilot-in-command (PIC) and pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ADS-B data, after takeoff from Heritage Field Airport (PTW) the flight flew around locally then returned and entered the downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern for runway 28. The flight turned onto the base and final legs of the airport traffic pattern for runway 28. The PIC stated to a FAA inspector that during the approach the winds were reported to be 8 knots gusting to 15 knots from 310°.

He reported to NTSB that the flight encountered light turbulence and a little bit of windshear on short final with a slight gain/loss of indicated airspeed, though he was not worried. The flight ballooned about 8 to 10 ft, to which he added a little power while flying above the runway. With a wind from the right, the main landing gears contacted the runway and at that moment the wind shifted from a quartering headwind to a quartering tailwind. With left rudder and brake applied, the airplane went to the right which he could not correct. The airplane ground looped and spun to the right and exited the runway. When it did so he pulled the mixture control and turned the fuel selector and master switch off.

The airplane came to rest in an easterly heading which was opposite the landing direction. He further stated that he was comfortable with the reported winds and he did not believe attempting a go-around would have been feasible or safe.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov