NTSB Factual Report

On June 23, 2010, about 1305 mountain standard time, a Cessna 170B, N432PB, sustained substantial damage following a loss of control during the landing roll at the Avi Suquilla Airport, Parker, Arizona. The private pilot and his passenger received minor injuries. The owner/pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, which had originated approximately 90 minutes earlier from Corona, California. A flight plan had not been filed.

The pilot reported to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that as he approached the airport, the wind was from 255 degrees at about 7 knots. He elected to land on runway 01, and as he touched down, the airplane's left wing rose up, and the right wing and propeller contacted the runway. The airplane cartwheeled, departed the right side of the runway, and came to rest upright. Both wing tips were bent up during the accident. Subsequently, a post accident fire erupted, which consumed the fuselage. The pilot further reported that it was obvious that the crosswind was more that he or the airplane could handle. No mechanical failures or malfunctions were reported.

An employee at the airport stated that the pilot called for an airport advisory several minutes before he landed. He reported that at that time the wind was from 220 degrees at 7 knots. Additionally, the pilot said that when he first saw the windsock it appeared to be partially inflated, but as he approached touchdown, the windsock was straight out.

Postaccident inspection of the airplane by an FAA inspector confirmed control continuity to all flight control surfaces.

The pilot did not submit a National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report Form 6120.1/2.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing with a crosswind.