Dillingham, AK, USA
N4606C
Cessna 170B
The private pilot was landing on a paved runway in a tundra tire and tailwheel-equipped airplane with an 80 degree right crosswind of 8 knots. The pilot stated that the airplane bounced slightly and settled onto the right main tire, and then veered to the left. He attempted to correct to the right, but the airplane went off the runway, and ground-looped to the right. The airplane sustained structural damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot noted there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.
On May 14, 2005, about 1550 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire and tailwheel-equipped Cessna 170B airplane, N4606C, sustained substantial damage while landing at the Dillingham Airport, Dillingham, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal area flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private pilot and the two passengers were not injured. The flight originated at the Togiak Airport, Togiak, Alaska, about 1515. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on May 16, the pilot reported that he was landing on runway 01, which required a correction for a right crosswind. The pilot stated that as the airplane touched down on the dry, paved runway, it bounced slightly and settled onto the right main tire, and then veered to the left. He said he attempted to correct to the right, but the airplane went off the runway, and ground-looped to the right. The airplane sustained structural damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot noted there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. A weather observation at Dillingham at the time of the accident consisted of: Sky conditions and ceiling, 2,200 feet scattered, 3,200 feet broken; visibility, 25 statute miles; wind, 090 degrees (magnetic) at 8 knots. The pilot did not return the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2).
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of control during the landing roll. Factors associated with the accident are a crosswind, and an inadvertent ground loop/swerve.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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