Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing.
NTSB analysis
The private pilot executed a normal traffic pattern for a "wheels landing" in the conventional landing gear airplane. After touchdown, the pilot applied a "little forward pressure to the yoke to keep the tail up..." The pilot reported the tail encountered a gust of wind from the left and he applied right rudder for correction. Subsequently, the airplane skidded off the left side of the runway and impacted a ditch. The right wing, right horizontal stabilizer, and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09CA508 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 6, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Aurora, Illinois
- Nearest airport
- Aurora Municipal Airport (ARR)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 170A
- N-number
- N9793A
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
Other records under this N-number
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.