# NTSB ANC90LA067: Cessna 170B, N4538C, Anchorage, AK, May 6, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 6, 1990, 15:38 local (23:38 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.219245, -149.850601 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2192&lon=-149.8506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5362
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5362/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA067

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE LANDING ROLL, WHICH RESULTED IN A GROUND SWERVE.

## 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)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT, THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE EXITED THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY THEN NOSED OVER ON TO ITS BACK. THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AND THE PILOT WAS NOT INJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4538C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4538C), registered now, S/N 25482, 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 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25482
- Airframe hours: 2321
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Grady
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 13, 1990, 4 hours before
- Airport: MRI, Merrill, runway 24, 3,988 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, expired; flight hours: 500 total, 250 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRI, 1 nm away

## 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 19900506014049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900506014049A), May 6, 1990: Cessna 170B, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on landing. Aircraft veered off runway and nosed over.

## Other investigations on N4538C (3)

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 ANC80DAG66](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC80DAG66), Jun 28, 1980: Cessna 170B (N4538C), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC73DAG93](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC73DAG93), May 19, 1973: Cessna 170B (N4538C), Glennallen, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK65D0040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK65D0040), Apr 20, 1965: Cessna 170B (N4538C), Merced, 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.

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