# NTSB ANC97LA059: Cessna 170, N4217V, Delta Junction, AK, April 19, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 19, 1997, 12:10 local (20:10 UTC) - Place: Delta Junction, AK - Coordinates: 63.700378, -144.889648 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.7004&lon=-144.8896&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 29, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2992 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA059 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2992/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA059 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane. ## 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 - lack of certification, pilot in command - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,main gear strut - overload ## Analysis The non-certificated pilot was landing a tail-wheel equipped airplane after completion of a local flight. After touchdown, the airplane began to drift toward the right. The pilot corrected toward the left, and the airplane began to ground loop. The right main gear leg broke at a hole drilled through the bottom of the gear strut where the brake mechanism was normally attached. The gear then collapsed. The right wing struck the ground and received damage to the right wing spar and several wing ribs. The pilot did not possess a pilot or medical certificate. He had accrued about 600 hrs of flight experience. ## Factual narrative On April 19, 1997, about 1210 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 170, N4217V, crashed during landing at Delta Junction, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The non-certificated pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. On April 19, 1997, at 1330, the pilot reported in a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), that he was landing on runway 08. After touchdown, the airplane began to drift toward the right. The pilot corrected toward the left and the airplane began to ground loop. The right main gear leg broke at a hole drilled through the bottom of the gear strut where the brake mechanism is normally attached. The gear then collapsed. The right wing struck the ground and received damage to the right wing spar and several wing ribs. The pilot indicated he does not possess a pilot's certificate, or a medical certificate. He reported that he has accrued about 600 hours of flight experience. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4217V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4217V-2012-11-20), registration cancelled 2012-11-20, S/N 18573, 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: 18573 - Engines: Continental C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Thomas J. Waggoner - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 17, 1997 - Departed: D66 - Airport: D66, Delta Junction, runway 8, 2,400 × 60 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 5 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °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 19970419006209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970419006209A), Apr 19, 1997: Cessna 170, Delta Junction, AK, Substantial damage. Lost control landing. Began ground loop gear leg broke. Wing hit ground. No pilot certificate or medical. ## Other investigations on N4217V (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 ANC07FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC07FA037), May 4, 2007: Cessna 170 (N4217V), Wasilla, AK, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power during takeoff initial climb due to fuel contamination, and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection. 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.