# NTSB ANC92LA063: Cessna 170, N3970V, Kenai, AK, April 21, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 21, 1992, 14:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Kenai, AK
- Coordinates: 60.659183, -150.899246 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.6592&lon=-150.8992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5715
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5715/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA063

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: AN INADEQUATE RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE MODIFIED AIRCRAFT.

## 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)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - recovery from bounced landing - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command

## Analysis

AT THE END OF A PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN ON THE MAIN LANDING GEAR FIRST THEN BECAME AIRBORNE AGAIN. THE PILOT INCREASED POWER SLIGHTLY AND THE AIRPLANE SETTLED BACK TO THE RUNWAY. AFTER THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN THE SECOND TIME, IT VEERED TO THE LEFT. THE PILOT APPLIED FULL RIGHT RUDDER AND RIGHT BRAKE, HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO THE LEFT AND GROUND LOOPED. DURING THE TURNING MOTION, THE RIGHT WING CONTACTED THE GROUND. THE PILOT ALSO REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD RECENTLY BEEN OUTFITTED WITH NEW CESSNA 180 MAIN LANDING GEAR SPRINGS AND TIRES, WHICH ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, MADE IT HARDER TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING LANDINGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3970V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3970V), registered now, S/N 18289, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170
- Registry model: [Cessna 170](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170) (registry code 2072302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18289
- Airframe hours: 3478
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Chapman, Richard G.
- Registered owner: Chapman, Richard G.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 15, 1991, 15 hours before
- Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Airport: ENA, Kenai, runway 1, 7,575 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 222 total, 122 in this make and model, 192 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19920421055319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920421055319A), Apr 21, 1992: Cessna 170, Kenai, AK, Substantial damage. Ballooned on landing. Weather vaned into wind and ground looped on second touchdown.

## Other investigations on N3970V (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 UNK65X1139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK65X1139), Dec 26, 1964: Cessna 170 (N3970V), Bucyrus, OH, 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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