On April 19, 1997, a Cessna 170 (registration N4217V) was involved in an aviation accident near Delta Junction, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During landing, a tail-wheel airplane drifted right; the pilot corrected left, causing a ground loop. The right main gear leg failed at a drilled hole, collapsing the gear. The right wing struck the ground, damaging the wing spar and ribs. The pilot lacked certification.
Accident Details
A non-certificated pilot was landing a tail-wheel equipped airplane after completing a local flight. Following touchdown, the airplane began to drift toward the right. The pilot corrected toward the left, and the airplane entered a ground loop. During the ground loop, the right main landing gear leg broke at a hole that had been drilled through the bottom of the gear strut, where the brake mechanism was normally attached. The gear then collapsed.
Aircraft Damage
As a result of the gear collapse, the right wing struck the ground. The impact caused damage to the right wing spar and several wing ribs.
Pilot Information
The pilot did not possess a pilot certificate or a medical certificate. He had accrued approximately 600 hours of flight experience.