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NTSB Report

March 21, 1998 · Cessna 170B · N3179B

Dillingham, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 21, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Dillingham, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 170B
Tail Number
N3179B
Operator
David J Powers
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC98LA028

The pilot-in-command held a private pilot certificate and was seated in the right seat. He did not hold a flight instructor certificate. The airplane's co-owner was a student pilot and was seated in the left seat. During the second touch-and-go landing, with the pilot-in-command allowing the student pilot to manipulate the flight controls, the airplane bounced and ground looped to the right. The left wing contacted the ground, and the airplane nosed down.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot-in-command's decision to relinquish controls to the student pilot in the left seat during practice landings, and the pilot-in-command's failure to maintain directional control. A factor contributing to this accident was the pilot-in-command's lack of certification as a flight instructor.

Full Narrative

On March 21, 1998, at 1718 Alaska standard time, a Cessna 170B tailwheel equipped airplane, N3179B, sustained substantial damage while landing at the Dillingham Airport, Dillingham, Alaska. The airplane was co-owned and operated by the two occupants, both of Dillingham. The private certificated pilot, and student pilot at the controls, were uninjured. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight to conduct touch and go landings. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The flight departed Dillingham at 1700. The student pilot at the controls stated during an interview with the NTSB investigator that there was a five to seven knot crosswind from the right. He had his first solo one week prior to the accident. He had accrued 25 hours of total flight time, with 15 hours in this airplane. He was manipulating the flight controls from the left seat, with the private pilot observing from the right seat. The private pilot did not hold a flight instructor certificate. On the second touch-and-go landing, the airplane bounced and ground looped to the right. The left wingtip dragged the ground, and the airplane nosed down.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:18 AKST
Nearest AirportDillingham (0nm)
Runway19
Runway Length6404 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 170B
Tail NumberN3179B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDavid J Powers
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-145 · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 31 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 6 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 19 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data