GAA18CA370

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 170 · Anchorage, AK · June 21, 2018

Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
June 21, 2018, 10:20 local (18:20 UTC)
Place
Anchorage, AK
Injuries
1 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Landing
Aircraft
N4427BCessna 170
Defining event
Landing: Loss of control on ground
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report March 18, 2019
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
General Aviation Accidents
Parties
FAA
FAA report
20180621008349A
Case key
97549

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing.

Findings · 3

NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.

Performance/control parameters: directional controlAircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintainedCessna 170B: 74 casesAll aircraft: 3,958 casesProbable cause
Use of equip/info: aircraft controlPersonnel issues › Task performance · PilotCessna 170B: 91 casesAll aircraft: 9,295 casesProbable cause
Object/animal/substanceEnvironmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcomeCessna 170B: 2 casesAll aircraft: 224 cases

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.

Analysis

The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, the touchdown on the water was smooth. While the airplane was on step, she reduced the flaps, and the airplane suddenly veered left. She applied right rudder and reduced engine power. The left float hit the concrete shore bank, the airplane spun to the left, and the right wing struck the shore. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Factual narrative

The pilot of the float-equipped airplane reported that, during landing, the touchdown on the water was smooth. While the airplane was on step, she reduced the flaps and the airplane suddenly veered left. She applied right rudder and reduced engine power. The left float hit the concrete shore bank, the airplane spun to the left, and the right wing struck the shore. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Aircraft

Registration
N4427B
Reported as
Cessna 170 (B)
Category
Airplane
Serial number
26771
Built
1955
Airframe hours
4,352.9
Engine
Lycoming O-360-A1A, 180 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · April 28, 2018
Departed
Skwentna, AK
Destination
LHD · Anchorage, AK
Airport
LHD · Lake Hood, runway W, 4,541 × 188 ft, water
Equipment
Handheld GPS, Stall warning system

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
57
Injuries
None
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land, Single-engine sea
Medical
Class 3, With waivers/limitations
Last flight review
October 6, 2017
Seat
Left
Restraint
None
Flight hours
760 total · 670 in this make and model · 642 as pilot in command · 6 in the last 90 days · 6 in the last 30 days · 2 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
Calm
Visibility
10 statute miles
Temperature
61 °F, dew point 52 °F
Altimeter
29.73 inHg
Observed at
PALH

Docket · 2

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 2, 2018, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 1.2 MB in all.

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.

Other investigations on N4427B · 1

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.