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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

October 13, 2002 · Cessna 170B · N170LB

Watkinsville, GA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 13, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Watkinsville, GA
Aircraft
Cessna 170B
Tail Number
N170LB
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL03LA004

The pilot landed in the pasture to assist another pilot who had landed because of an airplane problem. Unable to provide assistance to the other airplane, the Cessna 170B pilot elected to takeoff with the intention of seeking help. During the takeoff roll, the right main landing gear collided with an ant hill. The pilot reported that the collision damaged the right main landing gear, and directional control was lost. The subsequent airplane gyrations also damaged the left wing assembly. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane at the time of the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadvertent collision with an ant hill during takeoff that resulted in a ground loop and the subsequent collision collision with the ground. A factor was unsuitable terrain.

Full Narrative

On October 13, 2002, at 1500 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 170B, N170LB, registered to and operated by the pilot, collided with an ant hill during an attempted takeoff from a pasture near Watkinsville, Georgia. The personal flight operated under the provisions Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The commercial pilot was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The accident occurred during the initial takeoff from the pasture in Watkinsville, Georgia, on October 13, 2002, at 1500. The pilot landed in the pasture to assist another pilot who had landed because of an airplane problem. Unable to provide assistance to the other airplane, the Cessna 170B pilot elected to takeoff with the intention of seeking help. During the takeoff roll, the right main landing gear collided with an ant hill. The pilot reported that the collision damaged the right main landing gear, and the airplane ground looped. The subsequent airplane gyrations also damaged the left wing assembly and the airframe. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane at the time of the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 EDT
Nearest AirportOff Airport (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 170B
Tail NumberN170LB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300A3 · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 76 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 3 kt
Visibility9 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4900 ft
Temperature / Dew Point68 F
Altimeter30.12 inHg
Observation Time13:40
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data