# NTSB GAA17CA382: Cessna 170, N2774D, Alamogordo, NM, June 28, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 28, 2017, 13:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Alamogordo, NM - Coordinates: 32.839443, -105.991111 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8394&lon=-105.9911&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 November 14, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 95497 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA382 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95497/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95497 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA382 ## Probable cause The pilot receiving instruction’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in a ground loop. ## 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 · Student/instructed 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) - [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) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/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 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: 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 The flight instructor in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that the pilot flying was receiving instruction for a tailwheel endorsement. He added that, during the seventh landing of the day, the pilot extended the downwind to allow for traffic that landed ahead of them. He further added that, during the wheel landing touchdown, as the tail was settling to the ground, a wind gust "turned the airplane's tail," which resulted in a ground loop on the runway. The left wing, engine mounts, and windscreen sustained substantial damage. The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station at the accident airport recorded wind from 240° at 6 knots. The flight instructor reported that the landing was on runway 22. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that the pilot flying was receiving instruction for a tailwheel endorsement. He added that, during the 7th landing of the day, the pilot extended the downwind to allow for traffic that landed ahead of them. He further added that, during the wheel landing touchdown, as the tail was settling to the ground, a wind gust "turned the airplane's tail," which resulted in a ground loop on the runway. The left wing, engine mounts, and windscreen sustained substantial damage. The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station, at the accident airport, recorded wind from 240° at 6 knots. The flight instructor reported that the landing was on runway 22. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2774D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2774D), registered now, S/N 25316, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 170 (B) - 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: 25316 - Year built: 1952 - Airframe hours: 6880.2 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-AIA 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Sasquatch Air LLC. - Registered owner: Sasquatch Air LLC. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 6, 2017 - Departed: ALM, ALAMOGORDO, NM - Destination: ALM, ALAMOGORDO, NM - Airport: ALM, Alamogordo-White Sands Rgnl, runway 22, 9,207 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; private, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 6, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 550 total, 10 in this make and model, 367 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days - Flight instructor; age 57; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 29, 2016; seat: right; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 7,000 total, 8 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KALM ## 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 20170628008739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170628008739A), Jun 28, 2017: Cessna 170B, Alamogordo, NM, Substantial damage. On June 28, 2017, at 1315 MST, a 1952 Cessna 170B, N2774D, registered to sasquatch air LLC, lost control during a practice wheel landing while on a training… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 19, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95497. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 822 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457105&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Flight Instructor) (item 2, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457106&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Flight%20Instructor)-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 287 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457107&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.