Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and a nose over.
NTSB analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during touchdown for landing, a gust of wind blew the airplane to the right of the runway centerline. The pilot attempted to correct with control inputs, but the airplane continued to the right and exited the runway. The right main landing gear wheel dug in to the dirt and the airplane came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to fuselage, wings, horizontal stabilizer, and rudder.
The wind reported from a weather station at the airport about the time of the accident were from 250 degrees at 7 knots. The pilot reported he was landing runway 21.
The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA15CA223 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 11, 2015
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Driggs, Idaho
- Nearest airport
- Driggs-Reed Memorial (DIJ)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 170B
- N-number
- N2369D
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1952
- 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.