# NTSB LAX97LA055: Cessna 170A, N1729D, El Cajon, CA, November 28, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 28, 1996, 07:39 local (15:39 UTC)
- Place: El Cajon, CA
- Coordinates: 32.790519, -116.960296 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7905&lon=-116.9603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29693
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29693/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA055

## Probable cause

failure of the pilot to maintain directional control, which resulted in a ground swerve.  The pilot's low total time in conventional gear aircraft was a related factor.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff

## Analysis

The pilot initiated a takeoff on runway 27L in calm wind conditions. Witnesses reported that the aircraft was in the initial part of the takeoff roll, when it ground looped to the left. During the occurrence, the right wing was damaged. Review of the pilot's flight time revealed that he had very few hours in a conventional gear aircraft.

## Factual narrative

On November 28, 1996, at 0739 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 170A, N1729D, ground looped on the takeoff ground roll at the El Cajon, California, airport.  The aircraft was operated by the pilot and was originating as a cross-country personal flight to Borrego Springs, California.  No flight plan was filed.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and included calm wind conditions.  The aircraft incurred substantial damage.  The certificated private pilot and the three passengers were not injured.

The pilot initially spoke with an FAA inspector from the San Diego, California, Flight Standards District Office.  The FAA inspector reported that his review of the pilot's flight time revealed that he had very few hours in a conventional gear aircraft.  Ground witnesses, including the controllers on duty in the Air Traffic Control Tower, reported that the aircraft was in the initial part of the takeoff ground roll on runway 27L when it ground looped to the left, bending the right wing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1729D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1729D-2013-08-06), registration cancelled 2013-08-06, S/N 20172, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 170A
- Registry model: [Cessna 170A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170a) (registry code 2072304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20172
- Engines: Continental C-145 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dennis A. Treadwell
- Registered owner: Washington Coast Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SEE
- Destination: L08, BORREGO SPRINGS, CA
- Airport: SEE, Gillespie Field, runway 27L, 2,737 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 5 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SEE

## 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 19961128036779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961128036779A), Nov 28, 1996: Cessna 170A, El Cajon, CA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on takeoff, ground looped bending a wing. Very few hours in conventional gear aircraft.

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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