# NTSB WPR25LA033: Cessna 170B, N1977C, Lancaster, CA, November 8, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: November 8, 2024, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Lancaster, CA
- Coordinates: 34.741056, -118.21863
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7411&lon=-118.2186&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 195469
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR25LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195469/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195469
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA033

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop.

## 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)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause)
- [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause)

## Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during a touch-and-go maneuver, the airplane veered left, and he corrected with right rudder pedal input. However, the airplane continued to veer left, and the pilot closed the throttle and applied the brakes. Subsequently, the airplane ground looped and the right wing impacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and aileron. The pilot stated that about 15 minutes after the accident the wind report showed a quartering tailwind. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Sequence of events

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

- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1977C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1977C), registered now, S/N 26122, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B
- 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: 26122
- Year built: 1953
- Airframe hours: 5592
- Engines: Continental O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2024
- Departed: L00, Rosamond, CA
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: WJF, General Wm J Fox Airfield, runway 24, 7,201 × 150 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B, Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 24, 2023; seat: left; flight hours: 219 total, 154 in this make and model, 152 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 5 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: KWJF
- METAR: METAR KWJF 082056Z 12004KT 10SM CLR 19/M15 A3012 RMK AO2 SLP202 T01941150 58028=

## 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 20241108016279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20241108016279A), Nov 8, 2024: Cessna 170B, Lancaster, CA, Substantial damage. Airman was practicing pattern work at wjf, and while abeam tower, tower reported winds variable at 4 cleared to land on runway 24. Airman landed on runway 24…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 22, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195469. 2.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18004279&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20Flattened_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo array (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 852 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18003575&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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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