# NTSB ANC96LA090: Cessna 170B, N2848C, Fairbanks, AK, June 17, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 17, 1996, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 64.810256, -147.720596 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8103&lon=-147.7206&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2852 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA090 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2852/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA090 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing and the failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. A factor in the accident was an airstrip that was rough and uneven. ## 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 - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - other (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot was landing on a 2,000-foot long private airstrip. A witness reported that the airplane landed on the last 1/3 of the runway. From the initial touchdown point, the airplane rolled 140 feet, and then heavy braking/skid marks were noted on the runway. The airplane traveled another 460 feet to the point of rest off the left side of the runway. The pilot indicated that during the landing roll, he encountered rough runway conditions which remained from recent maintenance. When the airplane was on a smoother and harder surface, the pilot applied the brakes and the airplane ground looped to the left. The right main landing gear was folded aft at the gear leg attach point to the fuselage. The airplane also received damage to the inboard end of the right wing aft spar and right wing tip. The airport/facility directory states that the turf/gravel runway surface is muddy and washed, 6 to 12 inches deep, and is not maintained. ## Factual narrative On June 17, 1996, about 1130 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 170B, N2848C, crashed during landing at a private airport in Chena Hot Springs, Alaska, located about 42 miles northeast of Fairbanks, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Fairbanks International Airport, Fairbanks, Alaska, about 1030. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, Fairbanks Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), reported that during the landing roll on runway 07, the airplane ground looped to the left, departing the left side of the runway. The right main landing gear was folded aft at the gear leg attach point to the fuselage. The airplane also received damage to the inboard end of the right wing aft spar and right wing tip. A witness reported that the airplane landed on the last 1/3 of the runway. From the initial touchdown point, the airplane rolled 140 feet and then heavy braking/skid marks were noted on the runway. The airplane traveled another 460 feet to the point of rest. In a telephone conversation on June 19, 1996, at 0835, with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot indicated that during the landing roll, he encountered rough runway conditions which remained from recent maintenance. When the airplane was on a smoother and harder surface, the pilot applied the brakes and the airplane veered to the left. The Alaska airport/facility directory states that the turf/gravel surface is 2,000 feet long, muddy and washed, 6 to 12 inches deep, and is not maintained. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2848C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2848C), registered now, S/N 26391, built 1954 (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: 26391 - Airframe hours: 4856 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Arvid J. Hall - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 26, 1995, 32 hours before - Departed: FAI, AK - Destination: AK13 - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: AK13, Chena Hot Springs, runway 7, 2,000 × 150 ft, gravel ## 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: 105 total, 40 in this make and model, 45 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported - Wind: 360° at 4 knots - Visibility: 70 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: EIL, 36 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 19960617014149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960617014149A), Jun 17, 1996: Cessna 170B, Chena Hot Sprin, AK, Substantial damage. Lost control on rough strip. Ground looped collapsing right main landing gear. Wing spar damaged. ## Other investigations on N2848C (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 MIA69D0023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA69D0023), Jul 7, 1968: Cessna 170 (N2848C), Monticello, MS, 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. --- 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.