# NTSB LAX04LA245: Cessna 170B, N2915D, Auburn, CA, June 1, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 31, 2004, 21:30 local (Jun 1, 2004, 04:30 UTC) - Place: Auburn, CA - Coordinates: 38.954723, -121.081665 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9547&lon=-121.0817&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 7, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59487 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04LA245 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59487/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA245 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - downhill - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane veered off the runway and ground looped during the landing roll while the pilot was attempting to execute a three-point landing. The airplane touched down near the approach end of the runway directly over the runway centerline. During the transition to the landing roll, the airplane began to veer from the centerline, following the natural contours and incline of the runway. The airplane continued to veer to the right and departed the runway surface. The right main landing gear contacted a runway light fixture and the airplane ground looped. During the ground loop, the left main landing gear impacted an embankment, resulting in the left wing contacting the ground. The airplane incurred damage to the left elevator, wing tip, and landing gear. The pilot said there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures. ## Factual narrative On May 31, 2004, about 2130 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 170B, N2915D, veered off the runway, hit a runway light, and ground looped during the landing roll at Auburn Municipal Airport, Auburn, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal cross-country flight departed Sutter County Airport, Yuba City, California, about 2100, with the planned destination of Auburn. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was attempting a three-point landing on runway 25. As the airplane touched down near the approach end of the runway, he noted that the airplane was directly over the runway centerline. During the transition to the landing roll, the airplane began to veer from the centerline, following the natural contours and incline of the runway. The airplane continued to veer to the right and departed the runway surface. The right main landing gear contacted a runway light fixture and the airplane ground looped. During the ground loop, the left main landing gear impacted an embankment, resulting in the left wing contacting the ground. The airplane incurred damage to the left elevator, wing tip, and landing gear. The Airport/ Facility Directory, Southwest U.S., indicated that Auburn runway 25 was 3,700 feet long and 75 feet wide, with a 1.6 percent downsloping runway gradient. During a telephone interview with a National Transportation Safety Board investigator, the pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2915D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2915D), registered now, S/N 26858 (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: 26858 - Airframe hours: 3375.6 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, May 10, 2004, 1.5 hours before - Departed: O52, YUBA CITY, CA - Destination: AUN, AUBURN, CA - Airport: AUN, Auburn Municipal Airport, runway 25, 3,700 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 11, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 131 total, 131 in this make and model, 64 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: AUN 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.