# NTSB ERA24LA374: Cessna 170B, N2257D, Smithfield, NC, June 16, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 16, 2024, 12:05 local (16:05 UTC) - Place: Smithfield, NC - Coordinates: 35.541285, -78.390004 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5413&lon=-78.3900&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 195084 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA374 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195084/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195084 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA374 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 170B, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 91 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane and stated that it bounced before settling back onto the runway. The airplane then turned “sharply” to the right, so the pilot attempted to use rudder, brake, and aileron inputs in attempt to regain control. The airplane subsequently departed the right side of the runway before coming to rest facing the opposite direction of the landing. The airplane’s left wing was substantially damaged during the accident sequence. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2257D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2257D), registered now, S/N 20409, 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: 20409 - Year built: 1952 - Airframe hours: 2750 - Engines: Continental C-145 145 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 2024 - Departed: GSO, Greensboro, NC - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: JNX, Johnston Regional Airport, runway 3, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 8, 2024; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,658 total, 1,575 as pilot in command, 158 in the last 90 days, 76 in the last 30 days, 6.8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.16 inHg - Icing: Clear - Observed at: JNX - METAR: METAR KJNX 161210Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 23/18 A3016 RMK AO2= ## 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 20240616012159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240616012159A), Jun 16, 2024: Cessna 170B, Smithfield, NC, Substantial damage. The airmen bounced on landing and lost control of the aircraft causing the left wing to contact the ground causing damage to the wingtip. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 21, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195084. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17634068&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photographs (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 743 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17633968&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photos-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.