# NTSB ANC24LA042: Cessna 170A, N5789C, Willow, AK, June 1, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 31, 2024, 19:00 local (Jun 1, 2024, 03:00 UTC) - Place: Willow, AK · Willow Airport - Coordinates: 61.754434, -150.05153 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.7544&lon=-150.0515&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: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 194390 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC24LA042 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194390/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194390 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA042 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing roll, resulting in a ground loop and substantial damage to the airplane. ## 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 170A, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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 170A, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he performed a normal, coordinated 3-point landing near the approach end of the runway and “fast taxied” with the tail airborne down the runway. As the airplane neared the taxiway, the pilot reduced the throttle and the tail touched down normally. The pilot applied the brakes, at which time the airplane immediately veered to the right. The pilot attempted to correct with opposite rudder and brakes; however, the airplane ground-looped, sustaining substantial damage to the left wing and left elevator. The pilot reported he then taxied the airplane from the runway to a transient parking area with no issues. Postaccident examination of the tailwheel assembly and brakes found the steering arms bent and the rigging on the steering chains taut. Bent steering arms can contribute to a shimmy in the tailwheel, especially at high speeds. The pilot did not report feeling any shimmy during the landing roll and he was able to taxi the airplane following the accident without any control issues. No other mechanical failures/malfunctions were identified that would have resulted in the loss of directional control. ## Factual narrative On May 31, 2024, about 1900 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 170A airplane, N5789C, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident at the Willow Airport (UUO), Willow, Alaska. The pilot was uninjured. The airplane was operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he performed a normal, coordinated 3-point landing. He touched down at the beginning of the runway and “fast taxied” with the tail airborne down the runway. As the airplane neared the taxiway, the pilot reduced the throttle and the tail touched down normally. The pilot then applied the brakes and the airplane veered to the right. The pilot attempted to correct with opposite rudder and brakes; however, the airplane ground-looped and the left wing and elevator impacted the ground. The pilot reported that after the accident he taxied the airplane from the runway to the transient parking area. The rudder and brakes functioned normally, and he had no issues controlling the airplane. During a postaccident examination of the airplane, the master brake cylinder, calipers and brake pads were all found to be in good repair and in working condition. There were no hydraulic leaks in the brake system and there was no rubbing from the brake pads onto the drum. The steering arm was observed to be bent and the steering chain tension was taut. The leaf spring had no anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5789C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5789C), registered now, S/N 19743, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 170A - Registry model: [Cessna 170A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170a) (registry code 2072304) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 19743 - Year built: 1950 - Engines: Continental O300D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, May 31, 2024, 1 hours before - Departed: 97AK, Palmer, AK - Destination: PAUO, Willow, AK - Airport: PAUO, Willow Airport, runway 31, 4,400 × 75 ft, dirt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 20, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 480 total, 299 in this make and model, 444 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles ## 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 20240531006739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240531006739A), May 31, 2024: Cessna 170A, Willow, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot landed at Willow Airport runway 31. Touched down at the threshold, low tail wheel landing. Landing seemed normal, planned turn-off mid field. Left the… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 2, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194390. 16.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17283396&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC24LA042%206120-2_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Wreckage examination (item 2, PDF, 7 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18498490&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20Examination%20ANC24LA042-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 2.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17294316&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC24LA042%20Engine%20Logbook%20Pages_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Airframe logbook excerpts (item 4, PDF, 8 pages, 7.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17300039&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC24LA042%20Airframe%20Logs%20N5789C_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 5, PDF, 5 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17299785&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs-Rel.pdf 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.