Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot-in-command's inadequate compensating for the variable wind conditions.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
Based on the winds the pilot-in-command received from the flight service station he lined up to land on runway 22. On short final the crab angle he was using to correct for the wind was no longer needed and the airplane began to settle. He applied power, looked at the windsock and noticed an indication of the wind from the north. The airplane began to drift to the left and upon touchdown the right wing came up. The airplane drifted off the left side of the runway and crashed into some trees and brush.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 8, 1993, at 1315 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 170 airplane, N3271A, registered to and operated by the Pilot-in-Command, crashed while landing during gusty wind conditions at the Northway Airport, Northway, Alaska. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, and the destination was Northway. A visual flight rules flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The Private Certificated Pilot-in-Command and his passenger were not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. According to the Pilot-in-Command during a telephone interview he stated that he was given the winds as 20 knots and variable from 210 to 300 degrees. He lined up on runway 22 and the airplane was flying with an estimated 20 degree crab angle. On short final the airplane began to settle and the crab angle was no longer needed. The Pilot-in-Command stated he added some power and looked at the wind sock which now indicated a wind from the north. At touchdown the right wing came up while the airplane continued to drift to the left. The airplane drifted off the left side of the runway and struck some trees and brush. -