No fatalities

14 Sep 2012: CESSNA 170B — Bethel, AK

Bethel, AK, United States

On 14 Sep 2012, a CESSNA 170B was involved in an aviation accident near Bethel, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's overcompensation with right rudder input, which led to a loss of directional control and subsequent ground loop. 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 private pilot experienced a ground loop during takeoff on a gravel runway when the airplane drifted left and the pilot overcompensated with right rudder, causing substantial left wing damage.

Accident Description

A private pilot was conducting a takeoff from a gravel runway in a tailwheel-equipped airplane. According to the pilot's report, during the takeoff roll, as the tail of the airplane lifted off the ground, the airplane began to drift to the left. The pilot attempted to correct the drift by applying right rudder input but overcompensated, which resulted in a ground loop.

Aircraft Damage

The ground loop caused substantial damage to the left wing of the airplane. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane, indicating that the event was not related to a mechanical failure or malfunction.

Probable Cause

The pilot's overcompensation with right rudder input, which led to a loss of directional control and subsequent ground loop.

Contributing factors

PilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintained