Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary MIA01LA116

Penrose, NC, USA

Aircraft #1

N2488D

Cessna 170B

Analysis

The pilot stated that he was making a wheel landing with about a 90-degree crosswind, and as he started to bring the tail of the aircraft down, it drifted to the left side of the runway. He further stated that he tried to control the aircraft with right rudder but it caused the ground loop. He said that prior to the accident there had been no malfunctions to the aircraft, or its systems.

Factual Information

On April 8, 2001, about 1435 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 170B, N2488D, registered to, and operated by a private owner, as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, experienced a ground loop during landing at Penrose, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The commercial-rated pilot, the sole occupant of the aircraft, was not injured. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The flight originated from Charleston, South Carolina, the same day, about 1230. The pilot stated that he was making a wheel landing with about a 90-degree crosswind, and as he started to bring the tail of the aircraft down, it drifted to the left side of the runway. The pilot further stated that he had tried to control the aircraft with right rudder, which caused the ground loop. He said it happened fast, and he did not have time to apply power or ailerons to save the aircraft, and the left side of the cabin, wing, and landing gear were damaged. The pilot stated that prior to the accident there had been no malfunctions to the aircraft, or its systems.

Probable Cause and Findings

failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the landing rollout while landing in a crosswind which resulted in a ground swerve and substantial damage to the aircraft.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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