Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while taking off in gusting wind conditions.
NTSB analysis
During the takeoff roll from runway 15, the airplane encountered a gust of wind from the left. The airplane departed the runway and nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The vertical stabilizer and firewall were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the nearest facility recorded the wind from 080 degrees at 14 knots gusting to 22 knots.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN13CA138 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jan 20, 2013
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Erie, Colorado
- Nearest airport
- Erie Municipal Airport (KEIK)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 170B
- N-number
- N2323D
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.