Cessna 170
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 5; Flight Crew Total 112; Flight Crew Type 30
Training / Qualification
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Ground Excursion Runway; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence; Inflight Event / Encounter Unstabilized Approach; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Aircraft; Human Factors; Weather
The worst landing of my life. I have flown this C170 many times in past just myself as well as with 3 friends aboard and it became my favorite aircraft. Unfortunately; lately; this plane has ongoing electrical problems with generator and regulator. After some time the circuit breaker trips and system is not charging anymore. I had to return twice before due to same failure which the mechanics fixed; but the problem kept reappearing after a while. During this particular flight yesterday; I have decided to abort my flight because of same electrical failure due to the defective charging system. As I was returning back to departure airport; I was worrying that I will lose my radio before I arrive back. I was given clearance to land on Runway XXR. The wind conditions were variable as the windsock was not moving at all and then suddenly kept getting strong gusts from various directions. At the end of the flare; just before touchdown; sudden strong gust of crosswind from west threw my tail off so hard that I did not have sufficient rudder authority to compensate. I immediately applied full power to abort the landing and tried to go around. Unfortunately; I did not have time to push back the carb heat nor retract my full flaps which limited my engine power and kept high drag. This resulted in me being still just few feet above the ground and aiming diagonally across the grass to runway XXL; which was free of other traffic. Only after I managed to avoid collision with ground equipment and when I stabilized the airplane; I managed to push in the carb heat and slowly retract the flaps. The flaps are controlled by manual lever on this plane and are rather difficult to operate in such situation. I managed to successfully take off again and repeat the approach on left pattern. At numbers I was given clearance to land on Runway XXL.During base approach ATC changed my assigned runway to Runway XXR. I had to add power; but after turning final; I realized I added too much power and that I am too high. I tried to slip; but realized that it would not be safe; so I declared another go around; this time too high. On crosswind leg; ATC asked me if I need any help; which I declined. I was given landing clearance to Runway XXR and proceeded. I stabilized my approach; right landing speed at ~70 mph; but I did flare about a foot higher than would be optimal. Upon touchdown; it seems that my tail wheel locked in non-straight position. I immediately pushed full rudder to compensate; but still did not have sufficient rudder authority to fully correct. I held my elevator all the way up to keep the tail down and try to slow down the plane. I had to conscientiously keep telling myself to not to touch brakes; because I remember from ground school that it could result in dangerous situation. The aircraft started swerving and I departed Runway XXR to right into grass ~50 ft from taxiway Charlie where the aircraft rested safely. None of the parts of the aircraft except tires came into contact with ground. This situation fortunately resulted in zero injury; zero damage and was classified by airport personnel as 'Non-incident'.
C170 pilot reported a runway excursion during landing due to gusty winds.