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Tail Wheel Bounce Leads to Runway Excursion and Nose Over (N2555C)

Heber City, UT, US

On June 23, 2004, a Cessna 170B (registration N2555C) was involved in an aviation accident near Heber City, UT. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the aborted landing. Contributing factors were the pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment, the fence, and the ditch. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot reported a smooth landing on runway 3, but a tail wheel bounce caused the airplane to become airborne, drift left, and abort. The aircraft veered off the runway, struck a fence, and nosed over.

Incident Overview

A pilot reported landing smoothly on runway 3. During the rollout, the tail wheel bounced slightly, causing the airplane to become airborne and drift to the left of the runway centerline. The pilot added power to abort the landing. The airplane subsequently settled back onto the runway, then veered off the left side.

Sequence of Events

The aircraft struck the airport boundary fence, rolled into a ditch, and nosed over. Post-accident examination revealed damage to the vertical stabilizer, which was crushed, and the wing rear carry-through spar was bent.

Pilot's Account

The pilot described the initial touchdown as smooth, but the subsequent tail wheel bounce initiated a chain of events leading to the excursion. No other contributing factors were reported in the source.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 23 Jun 2004 Cessna 170B accident near Heber City, UT?

A pilot reported a smooth landing on runway 3, but a tail wheel bounce caused the airplane to become airborne, drift left, and abort. The aircraft veered off the runway, struck a fence, and nosed over.

Were there any fatalities in the 23 Jun 2004 Cessna 170B accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 23 Jun 2004 involved a Cessna 170B, registration N2555C, at Heber City, UT.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the aborted landing. Contributing factors were the pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment, the fence, and the ditch.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20040625X00866. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.