On September 22, 1996, a Cessna 170 (registration N2496D) was involved in an aviation accident near Enterprise, OR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout, as evidenced by the locked wheels and the resulting flip-over of the aircraft. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot experienced locked brakes near the end of a landing roll on a short runway, causing the aircraft to flip over. Witnesses confirmed wheels remained locked throughout the rollout.
What happened
The pilot initiated a landing on a 1050-foot runway. According to the pilot's account, the brakes locked near the end of the landing roll, resulting in the airplane flipping over. A state policeman documented that the airplane first touched down about halfway down the runway and that the wheels were locked during the entire landing roll.
The investigation
A state policeman examined the scene and documented the position of the aircraft upon initial contact with the ground. The officer noted that the wheels remained locked throughout the entire landing roll, which contributed to the loss of control and subsequent rollover.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout, as evidenced by the locked wheels and the resulting flip-over of the aircraft.