Probable cause
The pilot's excessive use of brakes during the landing roll resulting in a nose over.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported he was landing at a remote airstrip in his tailwheel-equipped airplane. During the approach he was about 5 mph fast, and missed his planned touchdown point. He continued the landing and consequently applied more brakes than planned, causing the airplane to nose over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to one of the wings, a lift strut, vertical stabilizer, rudder, and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC14CA073 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 4, 2014
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Palmer, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 170B
- N-number
- N1661D
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1952
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.