No fatalities

20 Sep 2011: CESSNA 170B — Fairbanks, AK

Fairbanks, AK, United States

On 20 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 control of the airplane while taking off with a gusting crosswind. 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

A tailwheel airplane momentarily became airborne during takeoff in gusty crosswind conditions, then settled back with a left wing down attitude, resulting in a ground loop and substantial damage.

Accident Summary

A tailwheel-equipped airplane experienced a takeoff accident on a turf runway under gusty left crosswind conditions. According to the pilot, as the airplane accelerated, a gust of wind caused it to become briefly airborne. The airplane then settled back to the runway with a left wing down attitude.

Sequence of Events

During the landing back to the runway, the left main landing gear contacted brush located on the left side of the runway. The airplane subsequently ground looped to the left, during which the right wing and right horizontal stabilizer struck the runway surface. The impact caused substantial damage to the right wing, right horizontal stabilizer, and empennage.

Pilot Statement

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. No further information regarding the airplane's registration, engine type, or pilot experience was provided in the source.

Contributing factors

Causes

Pilot

Other contributing factors

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedContributed to outcome