# NTSB GAA19CA316: Cessna 170, N2601D, Dillingham, AK, June 5, 2019

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 5, 2019, 14:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Dillingham, AK
- Coordinates: 59.039722, -158.457504 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.0397&lon=-158.4575&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 13, 2020
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 99560
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA316
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99560/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99560
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA316

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a long landing and subsequent loss of directional control, and his subsequent failure to attain sufficient altitude to clear trees during an attempted go-around.

## 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 · 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: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: 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)
- [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, during landing on a remote, unimproved airstrip, he overshot the touchdown point by about 150 ft. During the landing roll, the airplane veered right, and he decided to go around. During the takeoff climb, he pulled up because he realized that the airplane was not going to be able to clear trees, and the airplane aerodynamically stalled. The left wing dropped and struck trees, and the airplane spun 180° and impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the empennage, and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during landing on a remote unimproved airstrip, he overshot his touch down point about 150ft. During the landing roll the airplane veered to the right side of the runway and he decided to go-around. During the takeoff climb, he "pulled up when I saw that I was not going to clear trees," and the airplane aerodynamically stalled. The airplane's left wing descended and struck trees, and the airplane spun 180° and impacted the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the empennage and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2601D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2601D), registered now, S/N 20753 (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: 20753
- Airframe hours: 7597
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 8, 2018
- Departed: Dillingham, AK
- Destination: Dillingham, AK
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 18, 2010; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 234.1 total, 55.5 in this make and model, 214.1 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observed at: PADL, 2 nm away

## 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 20190605005899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190605005899A), Jun 5, 2019: Cessna 170B, Dillingham, AK, Substantial damage. Airman was practicing takeoff and landings at a private airstrip approximately 10 miles north of dlg airport. During the approach, the airman states aircraft…

## Other investigations on N2601D (3)

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.

- [NTSB ANC88LA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA031), Feb 15, 1988: Cessna 170 (N2601D), Healy, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC84FAG02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84FAG02), Dec 26, 1983: Cessna 170B (N2601D), Mcgrath, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC78DAA06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC78DAA06), Feb 25, 1978: Cessna 170B (N2601D), Healy, AK, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 5, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99560. 3.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475529&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Memorandum for Record (item 2, .PDF, 126 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475530&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record-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.

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