# NTSB DEN83LA075: Cessna 170B, N2280D, Douglas, WY, March 10, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 10, 1983, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Douglas, WY
- Coordinates: 42.750518, -105.390388 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7505&lon=-105.3904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16049
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16049/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA075

## 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
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - rudder - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED THE PLANE & HAD ONLY 6 HRS OF FLT TIME IN TAILWHEEL EQUIPPED ACFT. HE REPORTED THAT DURING A LANDING, THE ACFT BOUNCED ONCE, THEN TOUCHED DOWN JUST LEFT OF THE CENTER OF THE RWY. HE STATED THAT THE ACFT VEERED LEFT, THEN HE OVERCORRECTED TO THE RIGHT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT TURNED SIDEWAYS AND THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2280D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2280D-2018-03-09), registration cancelled 2018-03-09, S/N 20432, 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: 20432
- Airframe hours: 2928
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mike Ruckhaus
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1983, 10 hours before
- Departed: APA, ENGLEWOOD, CO
- Destination: DGW, DOUGLAS, WY
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: DGW, Douglas, runway 10, 5,066 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 103 total, 10 in this make and model, 58 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Observed at: DGW

## 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 19830310007149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830310007149A), Mar 10, 1983: Cessna 170B, Douglas, WY, Substantial damage. Lost control and ground looped on landing. Side load collapsed left main gear. Unfamiliar with tail dragger.

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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