# NTSB ANC09CA024: Cessna 170B, N2332D, Homer, AK, February 27, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: February 27, 2009, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Homer, AK
- Coordinates: 59.645557, -151.476669
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.6456&lon=-151.4767&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73505
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC09CA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73505/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09CA024

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, resulting in a ground loop and substantial damage to the airplane. Factors contributing to the accident were a tailwind, and the pilot's decision to land downwind.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 91 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The private pilot reported he was landing his tailwheel airplane on a hard-surfaced runway with approximately a 9 knot tailwind. During the landing roll, the airplane swerved, and when he could not correct the swerve with the rudder and brakes, he attempted to rapidly apply engine power to gain more control, but the engine hesitated, and the airplane did a ground loop to the right, striking the left wing on the runway. During the ground loop the left aileron sustained substantial damage. The pilot indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

The private pilot reported he was landing his tailwheel airplane on a hard-surfaced runway with approximately a 9 knot tailwind. During the landing roll, the airplane swerved, and when he could not correct the swerve with the rudder and brakes, he attempted to rapidly apply engine power to gain more control, but the engine hesitated, and the airplane did a ground loop to the right, striking the left wing on the runway. During the ground loop the left aileron sustained substantial damage. The pilot indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2332D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2332D), registered now, S/N 20484, 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: 20484
- Engines: Franklin 6A-350 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Quinn Jerry A
- Registered owner: Quinn Jerry A
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Anchorage, AK
- Destination: Homer, AK
- Airport: HOM, Homer, runway 21, 6,701 × 150 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2; flight hours: 120 total, 48 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 9 knots
- Observed at: PAHO

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.

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