Probable cause
The airplane’s encounter with a dust devil after landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported encountering a dust devil (also called a whirlwind) during rollout following a full stall landing maneuver. The airplane did not have any aileron authority due to the low airspeed at the time of the encounter. The left wing subsequently impacted the ground and the airplane departed the runway. It continued to roll down a hill before flipping and coming to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage to the empennage and both wings. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or the engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR23LA171 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 29, 2023
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Queen Creek, Arizona
- Nearest airport
- Pegusas Airpark (5AZ3)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 170B
- N-number
- N2207D
- 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.