# NTSB ANC96LA108: Cessna 170B, N4464B, Northway, AK, July 30, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 29, 1996, 19:12 local (Jul 30, 1996, 03:12 UTC) - Place: Northway, AK - Coordinates: 63.000064, -141.69046 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.0001&lon=-141.6905&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2865 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA108 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2865/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA108 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot made a three-point landing in the tail-wheel equipped airplane. The airplane bounced slightly and then ground looped to the right. The left wing struck the runway and was bent upwards, about 3 feet inboard from the tip. The airplane received damage to the left wing spar and ribs. ## Factual narrative On July 29, 1996, at 1912 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 170B, N4464B, crashed during landing at the Northway Airport, Northway, 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 commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Ft. Wainwright, Alaska, about 1620. The pilot reported he was landing on runway 22 and performed a three point landing. The airplane bounced slightly and then ground looped to the right. The left wing struck the runway and was bent upwards, about 3 feet inboard from the tip. The airplane received damage to the left wing spar and ribs. The closest official weather observation station is Northway, Alaska. At 1853, a surface observation was reporting, in part: Sky condition and ceiling, 9,000 feet scattered, 20,000 feet overcast; visibility, 50 miles; temperature, 72 degrees F; dew point, 37 degrees F; wind, 290 degrees at 9 knots; altimeter, 29.78 inHg. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4464B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4464B), registered now, S/N 26808, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 170B - Registry model: [Cessna 170](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170) (registry code 2072302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 26808 - Engines: Continental O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Orlow L. Mcinelly - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: FBK, FT WAINWRIGHT, AK - Destination: ORT - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: ORT, Northway, runway 22, 5,100 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,300 total, 100 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 9 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ORT ## 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 19960729022759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960729022759A), Jul 29, 1996: Cessna 170B, Northway, AK, Substantial damage. Bounced and ground looped landing. Damaged wing spar. Indicates inadequate check out in a tail dragger type. ## Other investigations on N4464B (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 ANC23LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA029), Apr 3, 2023: Cessna 170 (N4464B), Wasilla, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintained directional control and the instructor pilot's inadequate supervision, which resulted in a loss of control during takeoff. 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.