No fatalities

28 Dec 2019: Cessna 170 B — Missoula, MT

Missoula, MT, United States

On 28 Dec 2019, a Cessna 170 B was involved in an aviation accident near Missoula, MT. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot receiving instruction's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and ground-loop, and the flight instructor’s failure to adequately monitor the pilot. 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 takeoff roll, a tailwheel airplane veered left, despite corrective inputs and an instructor's abort call, resulting in a ground loop and substantial wing damage.

Accident Details

A pilot reported that during the takeoff roll in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, the aircraft began to veer to the left. The pilot applied corrective control inputs, and the flight instructor called for an abort of the takeoff. However, the airplane ground looped as it departed the runway.

Damage

The accident caused substantial damage to the right wing and aileron.

Pilot Information

Both pilots were flight instructors. The pilot at the controls was receiving instruction for a tailwheel endorsement. The flight instructor providing instruction stated that the event occurred too rapidly for him to correct the diversion.

Mechanical Status

Neither pilot reported any preaccident mechanical failure or malfunction with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Contributing factors

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedInstructor/check pilotStudent/instructed pilot