# NTSB ANC23LA029: Cessna 170, N4464B, Wasilla, AK, April 3, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 2, 2023, 16:20 local (Apr 3, 2023, 00:20 UTC) - Place: Wasilla, AK - Coordinates: 61.570761, -149.5413 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5708&lon=-149.5413&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 107023 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC23LA029 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/107023/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA029 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintained directional control and the instructor pilot's inadequate supervision, which resulted in a loss of control during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: heading/course](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Cessna 170, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/cases.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 82 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/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 170, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 170, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 170, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072302), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor reported that he was providing flight instruction to the pilot who had recently purchased the tailwheel-equipped airplane, and during takeoff, a crosswind pushed the airplane to the left. He attempted to correct for the left drift to no avail. Subsequently, the airplane continued to the left, exited the runway, impacted a snowbank, and nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the wings. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4464B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4464B), registered now, S/N 26808, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 170 - Registry model: [Cessna 170](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170) (registry code 2072302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 26808 - Year built: 1955 - Airframe hours: 3703 - Engines: Continental C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 4, 2023, 20 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: PAWS, Wasilla Airport, runway 22, 3,700 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 53; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 26, 2022; seat: right; flight hours: 2,121 total, 67 in this make and model, 2,063 as pilot in command, 82 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours - Student pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 25, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 197 total, 0 in this make and model, 98 as pilot in command, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: PAWS - METAR: PAWS 030056Z AUTO 15006KT 10SM FEW047 03/M08 A3007 RMK AO2 SLP190 T00281083 ## 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 20230402004949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230402004949A), Apr 2, 2023: Cessna 170, Wasilla, AK, Substantial damage. During instructional flight for new type of aircraft for registered owner, after approx 40 minutes of pattern work and touch & go's on runway 4 at paws, winds… ## Other investigations on N4464B (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 ANC96LA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA108), Jul 30, 1996: Cessna 170B (N4464B), Northway, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing. 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.