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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

May 23, 2013 · Cessna 170B · N3119A

Danville, IN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 23, 2013
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Danville, IN
Aircraft
Cessna 170B
Tail Number
N3119A
Operator
David Needham
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN13CA306

The pilot said that the purpose of the flight was to accumulate two hours solo flight time in reference to insurance requirements. He stated that during his second landing, while transitioning into the flare, he saw the airspeed was 65 mph; he reduced engine power to idle and banked with a “slight” right wing low into the wind. The tail wheel airplane touched down with right main and then left main. The pilot reported that he “got really light on my wheels” and swerved to the right. He swerved to left and the swerves were subsequently getting worse. He said that he could not get the aircraft straightened out. The left wheel skidded on runway and the airplane came to rest on the pavement with the pilot’s door open. The pilot’s door would not close and the pilot taxied the airplane back to the hanger. During a post flight inspection, the pilot discovered white dust on the left main tire. He subsequently found his tire marks just north of the midfield turn off and followed the marks to their end where he found three pieces of the left wheel half. The pilot reported that there were no airplane mechanical malfunctions in reference to the flight. A subsequent examination of the airplane revealed there was substantial damage to the fuselage and landing gear box.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot not maintaining directional control of the airplane during the landing roll resulting in the ground loop.

Full Narrative

The pilot said that the purpose of the flight was to accumulate two hours solo flight time in reference to insurance requirements. He stated that during his second landing round out, he saw the airspeed was 65 mph, he reduced engine power to idle, and banked with a “slight” right wing low into the wind. The tail wheel airplane touched down with right main and then left main. The pilot reported that he “got really light on my wheels” and swerved to the right. He swerved to left and the swerves were subsequently getting worse. He said that he could not get the aircraft straightened out. The left wheel skidded on runway and the airplane came to rest on the pavement with the pilot’s door open. The pilot’s door would not close and the pilot taxied the airplane back to the hanger. During a post flight inspection, the pilot discovered white dust on the left main tire. He subsequently found his tire marks just north of the midfield turn off and followed the marks to their end where he found three pieces of the left wheel half. The pilot reported that there were no airplane mechanical malfunctions in reference to the flight. A subsequent examination of the airplane revealed substantial fuselage and landing gear box damage.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:45 EDT
Nearest AirportHendricks County Airport (0nm)
Runway18
Runway Length4400 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 170B
Tail NumberN3119A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDavid Needham
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · C145-2 · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind260° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 11000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 57
Altimeter29.76 inHg
Observation Time01:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data