# NTSB DEN06CA054: Cessna 170B, N2359J, Benton, KS, March 31, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 31, 2006, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Benton, KS
- Coordinates: 37.772499, -97.810554
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7725&lon=-97.8106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 31, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63431
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN06CA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63431/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN06CA054

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane resulting in a ground loop. Contributing factors include the inadequate preflight inspection, the pilot's failure to properly latch the cowling, and the pilot's diverted attention to the open cowling.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - to cruise
  - cooling system,cowling - open (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

The pilot had just departed when the cowling came open and he elected to return to the airport. The pilot stated that during the landing roll he lost control of the airplane, ground looped and departed the runway to the left, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing. A post-accident examination of the airframe and airplane's systems revealed no anomalies. The pilot stated that he did not properly latch the cowling.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, he had just departed Benton (1K1) when the cowling came open and he elected to return to 1K1. He stated that during the landing roll to runway 35, he "lost control of the airplane," ground looped, and departed the runway to the left. The right wing struck the ground and the outboard 4 feet of the wing was bent up 30 degrees. The wing skin was wrinkled and the main spar was bent. A post-accident examination of the airframe and airplane's systems, conducted by the FAA, revealed no anomalies. The pilot stated that he did not properly latch the cowling.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2359J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2359J-2018-03-12), registration cancelled 2018-03-12, S/N 20511, 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: 20511
- Airframe hours: 1670
- Engines: Continental C-145 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sharpening Specialists LC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2005
- Departed: 1355, Benton, KS
- Destination: 71K, WICHITA, KS
- Airport: 1K1, Benton, runway 35, 1,613 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 1,961 total, 71 in this make and model, 1,800 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: AAO, 5 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 20060331004709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060331004709A), Mar 31, 2006: Cessna 170B, Benton, KS, Substantial damage. (-23) Shortly after takeoff the engine cowling came open and the pilot returned to the airport for landing. During the landing, the pilot lost control of the…

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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