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Casualties unknown

Ground Loop During Landing Roll in Training Flight (N2619D)

Laurel, MT, US

On June 28, 2005, a Cessna 170B (registration N2619D) was involved in an aviation accident near Laurel, MT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The flight instructor's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop. A contributing factor was the flight instructor's diverted attention to talking with the student. 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

During a training flight, a ground loop occurred after the aircraft veered right into grass. The left wing and elevator sustained structural damage.

Incident Overview

A flight instructor and a student were conducting a training flight focused on landing practice. The student completed two landings on runway 22 before the instructor suggested switching to runway 04, noting that the wind sock indicated movement from the east. The instructor then performed two landings on runway 04.

Sequence of Events

During the landing roll of the second landing on runway 04, the instructor was discussing the landing with the student and momentarily looked over at him. At that point, the airplane veered to the right and entered the grass. Despite the addition of power, the airplane could not be prevented from ground looping. The left wing and left elevator contacted the ground, resulting in structural damage.

Aircraft Damage

The left wing and left elevator sustained structural damage due to contact with the ground during the ground loop.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 28 Jun 2005 Cessna 170B accident near Laurel, MT?

During a training flight, a ground loop occurred after the aircraft veered right into grass. The left wing and elevator sustained structural damage.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 28 Jun 2005 involved a Cessna 170B, registration N2619D, at Laurel, MT.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The flight instructor's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop. A contributing factor was the flight instructor's diverted attention to talking with the student.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20050718X01042. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.