NTSB Factual Report

On May 29, 2004, about 1013 Alaska daylight time, a tailwheel-equipped Cessna 170B airplane, N2514D, sustained substantial damage when it ground looped and the left wing struck the runway during the landing roll at Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) private pilot practical test under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the airplane owner/student pilot. The student pilot and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) designated examiner were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The flight originated at Merrill Field, about 0900.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on June 1, the student pilot reported that he was performing a wheel landing on runway 24 at Merrill Field. He said that as the tailwheel lowered to the runway, the airplane veered to the left. He applied the right brake and right aileron, and the airplane then ground looped to the right, off the right side of the runway. The left wing struck the ground, and the left wingtip was damaged.

On June 7, the student pilot's mechanic reported that the airplane received damage to the left wing spar, the left aileron, and left elevator. The mechanic indicated that he would replace the left wing.

At 0953, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) at Merrill Field was reporting, in part: Wind, variable at 3 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, clear; temperature, 52 degrees F; dew point, 39 degrees F; altimeter, 29.67 inHg.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in an inadvertent ground loop and subsequent structural damage to the airplane when it struck the runway.