ANC24LA042

Factual narrative

On May 31, 2024, about 1900 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 170A airplane, N5789C, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident at the Willow Airport (UUO), Willow, Alaska. The pilot was uninjured. The airplane was operated by the pilot as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he performed a normal, coordinated 3-point landing. He touched down at the beginning of the runway and “fast taxied” with the tail airborne down the runway. As the airplane neared the taxiway, the pilot reduced the throttle and the tail touched down normally. The pilot then applied the brakes and the airplane veered to the right. The pilot attempted to correct with opposite rudder and brakes; however, the airplane ground-looped and the left wing and elevator impacted the ground. The pilot reported that after the accident he taxied the airplane from the runway to the transient parking area. The rudder and brakes functioned normally, and he had no issues controlling the airplane. During a postaccident examination of the airplane, the master brake cylinder, calipers and brake pads were all found to be in good repair and in working condition. There were no hydraulic leaks in the brake system and there was no rubbing from the brake pads onto the drum. The steering arm was observed to be bent and the steering chain tension was taut. The leaf spring had no anomalies. The pilot reported that he performed a normal, coordinated 3-point landing near the approach end of the runway and “fast taxied” with the tail airborne down the runway. As the airplane neared the taxiway, the pilot reduced the throttle and the tail touched down normally. The pilot applied the brakes, at which time the airplane immediately veered to the right. The pilot attempted to correct with opposite rudder and brakes; however, the airplane ground-looped, sustaining substantial damage to the left wing and left elevator. The pilot reported he then taxied the airplane from the runway to a transient parking area with no issues. Postaccident examination of the tailwheel assembly and brakes found the steering arms bent and the rigging on the steering chains taut. Bent steering arms can contribute to a shimmy in the tailwheel, especially at high speeds. The pilot did not report feeling any shimmy during the landing roll and he was able to taxi the airplane following the accident without any control issues. No other mechanical failures/malfunctions were identified that would have resulted in the loss of directional control. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained