No fatalities

17 Sep 2011: CESSNA 170B — Fairbanks, AK

Fairbanks, AK, United States

On 17 Sep 2011, a CESSNA 170B was involved in an aviation accident near Fairbanks, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience/training in tailwheel-equipped airplanes. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During a landing on a gravel airstrip, a tailwheel-equipped airplane ground looped to the left, causing the right wing to strike the ground and sustain substantial damage.

Incident Overview

A pilot reported that while landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane on a gravel airstrip, the airplane entered a ground loop to the left during the landing roll. The right wing subsequently struck the ground, resulting in substantial damage to the wing.

Aircraft and Pilot Information

The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. The pilot noted that the accident could have been prevented with increased training time in tailwheel operations.

Damage Assessment

The right wing of the airplane sustained substantial damage due to contact with the ground.

Sequence of Events

According to the pilot, the landing was being conducted on a gravel surface. After touchdown, during the landing roll, the airplane unexpectedly veered left and ground looped. The right wing tip contacted the ground, causing structural damage.

Contributing factors

Causes

Pilot

Other contributing factors

Directional control — Not attained/maintained