# NTSB ANC04LA062: Cessna 170B, N2514D, Anchorage, AK, May 29, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 29, 2004, 10:13 local (18:13 UTC) - Place: Anchorage, AK - Coordinates: 61.213611, -149.844451 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2136&lon=-149.8445&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 3, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA-AL-ANC FSDO 03 - NTSB case key (mKey): 59397 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC04LA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59397/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04LA062 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop and subsequent structural damage to the airplane when it struck the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The airplane owner/student pilot was performing a wheel landing in a tailwheel-equipped airplane during a private pilot practical test. The pilot said that as the tailwheel lowered to the runway, the airplane veered to the left. He applied the right brake and right aileron, and the airplane then ground looped to the right, off the right side of the runway. The left wing struck the ground, and the airplane received damage to the left wing spar, the left aileron, and left elevator. The wind condition was reported as variable at 3 knots. ## Factual narrative On May 29, 2004, about 1013 Alaska daylight time, a tailwheel-equipped Cessna 170B airplane, N2514D, sustained substantial damage when it ground looped and the left wing struck the runway during the landing roll at Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) private pilot practical test under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the airplane owner/student pilot. The student pilot and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) designated examiner were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The flight originated at Merrill Field, about 0900. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on June 1, the student pilot reported that he was performing a wheel landing on runway 24 at Merrill Field. He said that as the tailwheel lowered to the runway, the airplane veered to the left. He applied the right brake and right aileron, and the airplane then ground looped to the right, off the right side of the runway. The left wing struck the ground, and the left wingtip was damaged. On June 7, the student pilot's mechanic reported that the airplane received damage to the left wing spar, the left aileron, and left elevator. The mechanic indicated that he would replace the left wing. At 0953, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) at Merrill Field was reporting, in part: Wind, variable at 3 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, clear; temperature, 52 degrees F; dew point, 39 degrees F; altimeter, 29.67 inHg. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2514D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2514D), registered now, S/N 20666, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 170B - Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20666 - Airframe hours: 2891 - Engines: Continental C-145 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James J. VanSchoick - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 13, 2003, 26 hours before - Departed: PAMR, Anchorage, AK - Airport: PAMR, Merrill Field, runway 24, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 35; injuries: none; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review May 25, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 72 total, 20 in this make and model, 19 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days - Check pilot; injuries: none ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.67 inHg - Observed at: PAMR ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20040529010509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040529010509A), May 29, 2004: Cessna 170B, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) The student pilot was demonstrating a wheel landing to the DPE for his private pilot certificate and lost control and ground looped the a/c. ## Other investigations on N2514D (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB ANC00LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA077), Jun 23, 2000: Cessna 170B (N2514D), Wasilla, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. A factor associated with the accident is the pilot's excessive use of the brakes. From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.