# NTSB ANC95LA076: Cessna 170B, N4512C, Gulkana, AK, June 15, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 1995, 12:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Gulkana, AK
- Coordinates: 62.100727, -145.530044 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.1007&lon=-145.5300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2665
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2665/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA076

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS LANDING ON RUNWAY 14.  THE WIND WAS FROM 130 DEGREES AT 6 KNOTS.  UPON LANDING THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO VEER RIGHT.  AS THE AIRPLANE TURNED IT DRAGGED ITS LEFT WING ON THE GROUND.  THE PILOT STATED SHE HAS NO IDEA WHY THE AIRPLANE 'GROUND LOOPED.'

## Factual narrative

On June 15, 1995, at 1215 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 170B airplane, N4512C, registered to and operated by the pilot, dragged a wing upon landing at the Gulkana Airport, Gulkana, Alaska.  The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska, on a visual flight rules flight plan and the destination was the accident site.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The private certificated pilot and the two passengers were not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged.

According to the pilot, upon touchdown the airplane began to veer right and she lost directional control.  The airplane turned to the right and "ground looped" dragging the left wing on the runway's surface.

The pilot was landing the airplane on Gulkana's runway 14.  The wind was from 130 degrees at 6 knots.  The pilot stated she has no idea why the airplane "ground looped."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4512C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4512C-2022-09-03), registration cancelled 2022-09-03, S/N 25456, 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: 25456
- Airframe hours: 4476
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alderson, Judith E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 6, 1995, 10 hours before
- Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Destination: GKN, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: GKN, Gulkana, runway 14, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 778 total, 687 in this make and model, 741 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F

## 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 19950615017869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950615017869A), Jun 15, 1995: Cessna 170B, Gulkana, AK, Substantial damage. Lost directional control landing over controlled dragged a wing and ground looped.

## Other investigations on N4512C (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 ANC19WA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC19WA020), May 28, 2019: Cessna 170 (N4512C), Whitehorse, Canada, destroyed, 2 fatal

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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