On August 13, 2003, a Cessna 170B (registration N2987D) was involved in an aviation accident near LA Belle, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during takeoff resulting in ground looping and substantial damage. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A student pilot aborted a takeoff after the aircraft veered left during tail lift, resulting in a ground loop that damaged the right wing and elevator.
Accident Narrative
During a takeoff attempt, the student pilot aligned the aircraft on the runway and advanced the throttle to initiate the takeoff roll. The pilot reported maintaining control of the airplane as ground speed increased. When the tail section was lifted, the aircraft veered to the left. The pilot attempted to correct the deviation but was unsuccessful, leading to the decision to abort the takeoff. After aborting, the aircraft ground looped to the right before coming to a complete stop.
Aircraft Damage
The ground loop resulted in damage to the right wing and the right elevator. The extent of the damage was not specified in the available information.
Pilot Report
The student pilot stated that no mechanical malfunction or failure of the aircraft systems was experienced during the event. The pilot's account indicates that the control inputs during the tail lift phase were not sufficient to maintain directional control, prompting the rejected takeoff.