# NTSB ANC05CA069: Cessna 170, N2981D, Anchorage, AK, April 27, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 26, 2005, 17:25 local (Apr 27, 2005, 01:25 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.2, -149.833328
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2000&lon=-149.8333&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 61483
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC05CA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61483/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05CA069

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a sign while taxiing from landing, which resulted in an on ground collision with the sign.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - sign

## Analysis

The commercial pilot reported that after landing, while exiting the active runway, he inadvertently taxied over a runway/taxiway identification sign that was located adjacent to the taxiway.  The airplane sustained structural damage to the fuselage.  The pilot noted there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On April 26, 2005, about 1725 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 170 airplane, N2981D, sustained substantial damage while landing at Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska.  The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross country flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred.  The solo commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Seldovia Airport, Seldovia, Alaska, about 1530.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on April 29, the pilot reported that after landing on runway 24, while exiting the active runway, he inadvertently taxied over a runway/taxiway identification sign that was located adjacent to the taxiway.  The airplane sustained structural damage to the fuselage.  The pilot noted there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2981D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2981D), registered now, S/N 26924 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 170
- Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 26924
- Airframe hours: 4250.9
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David W. Wright
- Registered owner: David W. Wright
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2005
- Departed: SOV, Seldovia, AK
- Destination: MRI, Anchorage, AK
- Airport: MRI, Merrill Field, runway 24

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 20 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.30 inHg

## 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 20050426009089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050426009089A), Apr 26, 2005: Cessna 170B, Anchorage, AK, Minor damage. (-23) Following landing on Anchorage Merrill field (pamr) runway 24, the PIC failed to fully negotiate a right turn from the runway to taxiway juliet and…

## Other investigations on N2981D (2)

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 ANC74DAH03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC74DAH03), May 1, 1974: Cessna 170 (N2981D), Farewell, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX67D0427](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX67D0427), May 7, 1967: Cessna 170B (N2981D), Adelanto, CA, substantial damage

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.