# NTSB MIA03CA165: Cessna 170B, N2987D, La Belle, FL, August 13, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 13, 2003, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: La Belle, FL - Coordinates: 26.744167, -81.432502 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.7442&lon=-81.4325&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 57722 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA03CA165 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57722/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03CA165 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during takeoff resulting in ground looping and substantial damage. ## 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) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - ground loop/swerve - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The student pilot stated that he aligned on the runway and he advanced power to begin the takeoff roll, and was well in control of the airplane. Once ground speed increased, he lifted the tail of the airplane. As the tail section lifted the aircraft veered to the left. He tried to correct for the left deviation but was unsuccessful and elected to abort the takeoff. The airplane then ground looped to the right incurring damage to the right wing and right elevator before coming to a complete stop. He also mentioned, he experienced no mechanical malfunction or failures with the aircraft systems. ## Factual narrative On August 13, 2003, about 1900 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 170B, N2987D, registered to and operated by an individual, ground looped on takeoff at La Belle Municipal Airport, La Belle, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed. The instructional flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane incurred substantial damage and the student pilot was not injured. The flight was originating at the time. The student pilot stated that he aligned on the runway and he advanced power to begin the takeoff roll, and was well in control of the airplane. Once ground speed increased, he lifted the tail of the airplane. As the tail section lifted the aircraft veered to the left. He tried to correct for the left deviation but was unsuccessful and elected to abort the takeoff. The airplane then ground looped to the right incurring damage to the right wing and right elevator before coming to a complete stop. He also mentioned, he experienced no mechanical malfunction or failures with the aircraft systems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2987D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2987D), registered now, S/N 26930, built 1955 (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: 26930 - Airframe hours: 3747 - Engines: Teledyne Continental O-300 SER 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kenneth Diaz - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: X14, La Belle, FL - Destination: X14, La Belle, FL - Airport: X14, La Belle Municipal, runway 14, 3,410 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 46; injuries: none; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 22 total, 17 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg ## 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 20030813019869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030813019869A), Aug 13, 2003: Cessna 170B, La Belle, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) Ground loop on takeoff roll, resulting in substantial damage to 36 inches of right wing tip and aileron, right elevator and right horizontal stabilizer… ## Other investigations on N2987D (1) 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 NYC73FHA04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC73FHA04), Jul 17, 1972: Cessna 170 (N2987D), Montrose, PA, substantial damage 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.