No fatalities

CESSNA 170 A accident at Dowagiac, MI, 4 Jul 2024

Dowagiac, MI, United States

On July 4, 2024, a CESSNA 170 A operated by None was involved in an aviation accident near Dowagiac, MI. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot and flight instructor’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop with the left main landing gear axle failing, a runway excursion, and impact with the ground. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 17 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

Probable cause

The pilot and flight instructor’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop with the left main landing gear axle failing, a runway excursion, and impact with the ground.

— NTSB Determination

Contributing factors

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedStudent/instructed pilotInstructor/check pilotMain gear strut/axle/truck — Failure

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 4 Jul 2024 CESSNA 170 A accident near Dowagiac, MI?

The pilot and flight instructor’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop with the left main landing gear axle failing, a runway excursion, and impact with the ground.

Were there any fatalities in the 4 Jul 2024 CESSNA 170 A accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 4 Jul 2024 involved a CESSNA 170 A, operated by None, at Dowagiac, MI.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot and flight instructor’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop with the left main landing gear axle failing, a runway excursion, and impact with the ground.