Cessna 170B N3184B accident near Bessemer, Alabama

Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of directional control during the landing roll.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane was operating in the airport traffic pattern. After completing a low approach to estimate the wind conditions, the pilot elected to land on the opposite direction runway due to a wind shift. The pilot planned to perform a three-point, full-stall landing, and during the landing flare the stall warning horn sounded. During the landing, the tailwheel contacted the runway, followed by the main landing gear, after which the airplane began heading to the left. The pilot attempted to apply corrective control inputs with the rudder, but the airplane did not respond as he expected. The airplane subsequently contacted trees off the side of the runway, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane’s wings. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA26LA152 for the full record.