3 May 2014: CESSNA 170B UNDESIGNAT

3 May 2014: CESSNA 170B UNDESIGNAT — Unknown operator

No fatalities • Soldotna, AK, United States

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to recognize a wind shift, resulting in a tailwind landing, loss of control, and ground loop.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

The student pilot was practicing solo takeoff and landings in a tailwheel-equipped airplane on a dry, hard surfaced runway. At the beginning of the flight, the winds were light and variable, but during the last landing, the wind had shifted to a slight tailwind. During the landing, the pilot lost control of the airplane, and ground looped, sustaining substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Contributing factors

  • cause Student/instructed pilot
  • cause Performance/control parameters — Not attained/maintained
  • cause Student/instructed pilot
  • Effect on operation

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 280/07kt, vis 10sm

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