Loss of Control in Flight: Cessna 170, N8282A; accident occurred June 02, 2020 at Bert Mooney Airport (KBTM), Silver Bow County, Montana

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Helena, Montana 

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

https://registry.faa.gov/N8282A

Location: Butte, MT
Accident Number: WPR20CA173
Date & Time: 06/02/2020, 1630 MDT
Registration: N8282A
Aircraft: Cessna 170
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control in flight
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during landing with about a 7 knot headwind, just as the airplane was touching down, a "wind event" (turbulence) lifted the airplane airborne. The pilot added power, but the airplane subsequently touched down hard in a 3-point attitude. The lower fuselage was substantially damaged.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 61, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 09/23/2019
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 04/23/2019
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 2422 hours (Total, all aircraft), 19 hours (Total, this make and model), 2350 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 20 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N8282A
Model/Series: 170 B
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1952
Amateur Built:No 
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 25134
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 05/01/2020, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2200 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 3800 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: C145
Registered Owner:On file 
Rated Power: 145 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KBTM, 5533 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2253 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 347°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 7 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 330°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.13 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 23°C / -6°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Sheridan, WY (SHR)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Butte, MT (BTM)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1400 MDT
Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: Bert Mooney (BTM)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation:5550 ft 
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 33
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 9000 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 45.954722, -112.497500 (est)