Probable cause
The pilot’s loss of directional control during the landing roll.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that he made a wheel landing on runway 7. As he pulled back on the elevator to lower the tail, the tail came up, and he lost control of the airplane. The airplane veered left, then turned sideways to the direction of travel, and stopped suddenly causing the right wing to contact the ground. No preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures were found that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR12CA333 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 29, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Ellensburg, Washington
- Nearest airport
- Ellensburg (KELN)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 170A
- N-number
- N4089A
- 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.