# NTSB CEN24LA251: Cessna 170, N9793A, Dowagiac, MI, July 4, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: July 4, 2024, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Dowagiac, MI
- Coordinates: 41.993703, -86.122817 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9937&lon=-86.1228&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Grand Rapids FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 194629
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA251
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194629/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194629
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA251

## Probable cause

The pilot and flight instructor’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop with the left main landing gear axle failing, a runway excursion, and impact with the ground.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Landing gear system: main gear strut/axle/truck](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023213): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023213/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 86 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023213/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)
- [Post-impact: Evacuation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot receiving instruction reported that he and the flight instructor were performing transition training in a tailwheel-equipped airplane. After landing to the dry asphalt runway and during the landing roll, the airplane drifted to the left and the pilot applied right rudder and right brake. The airplane corrected to the right and the flight instructor applied left rudder and left brake to straighten the direction of the airplane. Shortly thereafter, the left main landing gear axle failed, the wheel departed, and the airplane continued to travel to the right. The airplane departed the runway to the right and came to rest upright on a grass field. During the runway excursion, the left wing impacted the ground. The two occupants were able to egress from the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot classified the accident as a “typical tailwheel ground loop caused by the left gear axle failing and the pilot potentially overcorrecting on rollout.” The pilot further reported that the left axle (constructed of hollow aluminum) is an original part from when the airplane was manufactured in 1950.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9793A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9793A), registered now, S/N 19254, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170 (A)
- Registry model: [Cessna 170A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170a) (registry code 2072304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 19254
- Year built: 1950
- Airframe hours: 3513
- Engines: Continental Motors C-145-2H 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 2024, 5 hours before
- Airport: C91, Dowagiac Muni, runway 09/27, 4,700 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 25, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,511 total, 2 in this make and model, 1,420 as pilot in command, 123 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours
- Flight instructor; age 72; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, waiver time limited special; last flight review May 23, 2024; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 30,000 total, 7 in this make and model, 20,000 as pilot in command, 71 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observed at: KBEH, 15 nm away
- METAR: KBEH 041453Z AUTO 29003KT 10SM CLR 25/20 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP143 T02500200 53012

## 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 20240704007939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240704007939A), Jul 4, 2024: Cessna 170A, Dowagiac, MI, Substantial damage. On July 04, 2024, at 1130 local time, a Cessna 170A aircraft, [privacy data omitted], registered to a private individual and operated as a training flight by…

## Other investigations on N9793A (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 CEN09CA508](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA508), Aug 6, 2009: Cessna 170A (N9793A), Aurora, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing.

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 22, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194629. 2.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17456036&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_1_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Accident photographs (item 2, PDF, 6 pages, 757 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17455459&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photographs-Rel.pdf
- Cessna 170A illustrated parts catalog excerpt (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 407 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17458635&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Cessna%20170A%20Illustrated%20Parts%20Catalog%20Excerpt-Rel.pdf

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.