# NTSB GAA15CA076: Cessna 170B, N3488C, Bentonville, AR, May 13, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 13, 2015, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Bentonville, AR - Coordinates: 36.345275, -94.218887 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3453&lon=-94.2189&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 8, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Adminstration - NTSB case key (mKey): 91192 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA076 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91192/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91192 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA076 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a ground loop on takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 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) - [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) - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: 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) - [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis During an instructional flight in crosswind conditions, the pilot receiving instruction initiated the takeoff roll and once the airplane became airborne, the nose immediately rotated into the wind. The flight instructor took the flight controls and attempted to maintain directional control with right rudder, but the airplane touched down on the runway and ground looped. During the ground loop the right wing impacted the runway causing substantial damage to the wing. The flight instructor reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The reported winds about the time of the accident were from 110 degrees true at 12 knots, and the runway heading was 180 degrees magnetic. ## Factual narrative During an instructional flight in crosswind conditions, the pilot receiving instruction initiated the takeoff roll and once the airplane became airborne, the nose immediately rotated into the wind. The flight instructor took the flight controls and attempted to maintain directional control with right rudder, but the airplane touched down on the runway and ground looped. During the ground loop the right wing impacted the runway causing substantial damage to the wing. The flight instructor reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The reported winds about the time of the accident were from 110 degrees true at 12 knots, and the runway heading was 180 degrees magnetic. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3488C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3488C), registered now, S/N 26531, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B - Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 26531 - Year built: 1954 - Airframe hours: 3920.2 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-300 SER 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Summit Aviation LLC, doing business as Summit Aviation - Registered owner: Powell Property Management LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 18, 2014 - Departed: VBT, Bentonville, AR - Destination: 4M1, BERRYVILLE, AR - Airport: VBT, Bentonville Muni/Louise M Thad, runway 18, 4,426 × 65 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 69; 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 March 6, 2015; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,980 total, 15 in this make and model, 1,710 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 69; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, waiver time limited special; last flight review December 9, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,034 total, 3 in this make and model, 1,923 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KVBT ## 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 20150513006499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150513006499A), May 13, 2015: Cessna 170B, Bentonville, AR, Substantial damage. On may 13, 2015, at 1350 CST, a Cessna 170, N3488C, registered to powell property management, LLC., experienced a partial ground loop after attempting to take… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 30, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91192. 83 KB in all. - Photo 1 – Airplane on Runway (Courtesy of Operator) (item 1, .PDF, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428733&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Airplane%20on%20Runway%20(Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – Right Wing (Courtesy of Operator) (item 2, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428734&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Right%20Wing%20(Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-Master.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.