Summary
On August 01, 2003, a Cessna 170 (N3418C) was involved in an incident near Anchorage, AK. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind condition and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane that resulted in the left wing contacting the runway surface during the landing roll. Factors contributing to the accident were the presence of the crosswind, and the pilot's lack of experience in tailwheel airplanes.
On August 1, 2003, about 1205 Alaska daylight time, a tailwheel-equipped Cessna 170 airplane, N3418C, sustained substantial damage when the left wing contacted the runway following a loss of control during the landing roll at Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Merrill Field about 0900.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC03LA087. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N3418C.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind condition and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane that resulted in the left wing contacting the runway surface during the landing roll. Factors contributing to the accident were the presence of the crosswind, and the pilot's lack of experience in tailwheel airplanes.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On August 1, 2003, about 1205 Alaska daylight time, a tailwheel-equipped Cessna 170 airplane, N3418C, sustained substantial damage when the left wing contacted the runway following a loss of control during the landing roll at Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Merrill Field about 0900. No flight plan was filed, nor was one required.
During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on August 5, the pilot reported that he recently received a tailwheel endorsement. He said he was practicing landings at various airports and then landed on runway 24 at Merrill Field. During the landing, the pilot reported that a right crosswind was blowing between 10 to 12 knots. He said the airplane bounced on touchdown, and the right wing was lifted by the wind. He corrected the bounce by application of rudder, but the left wing contacted the runway surface and the airplane ground looped. The pilot said a mechanic examined the airplane and advised him that two outboard wing ribs of the left wing and the left aileron required replacement.
At 1153, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) at Merrill Field was reporting in part: Wind, 330 degrees (true) at 7 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, few at 6,000 feet, 12,000 feet scattered; temperature, 64 degrees F; dew point, 35 degrees F; altimeter, 30.03 inHg.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC03LA087