N4465B

On November 28, 2002, about 0830 mountain standard time, a Cessna 170B, N4465B, ground looped and nosed over while performing touch-and-go practice takeoffs and landings at an abandoned gravel airstrip near Mobile, Arizona. The private pilot was operating the airplane the under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. Neither the pilot nor passenger was injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated from the Phoenix Goodyear Airport, Goodyear, Arizona, about 0730 for the local area personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was attempting to perform touch-and-go practice takeoffs and landings in his tail-wheel equipped airplane. He completed one touch-and-go without mishap, and began an approach for another landing. While on approach, he configured the airplane in a crab to the right in an effort to counteract the right-quartering crosswind. On final approach, about 15 feet above ground level, the crosswind diminished.

The airplane touched down on the runway surface while still in the right crab, with the right main landing gear making contact first. The tail moved to the right resulting in the airplane veering to the left, off the edge of the runway. The main landing gear impacted a dirt berm and nosed over. The airplane came to rest inverted. The airplane incurred damage to the wings, rudder, and landing gear box.

The pilot noted that he had previously preformed 70 to 80 practice landings on this particular airstrip, without mishap. The pilot thought that the accident could have been prevented if he had made a go-around, or properly used the rudder during the crosswind operation. The pilot reported no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.