Summary
On August 18, 1996, a Cessna 170B (N3546C) was involved in an incident near Cantwell, AK. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: A failure of the pilot to provide sufficient takeoff distance from the edge of the departure lake and his premature liftoff.
On August 17, 1996, about 2030 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Cessna 170B, N3546C, collided with terrain during takeoff from a remote lake, about 53 miles west of Cantwell, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.
A Denali National Park Ranger reported that the pilot was departing Wonder Lake. The airplane was observed to collide with the tundra at the north end of the lake as the airplane was just taking off.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC96LA127. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N3546C.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
A failure of the pilot to provide sufficient takeoff distance from the edge of the departure lake and his premature liftoff.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On August 17, 1996, about 2030 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Cessna 170B, N3546C, collided with terrain during takeoff from a remote lake, about 53 miles west of Cantwell, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.
A Denali National Park Ranger reported that the pilot was departing Wonder Lake. The airplane was observed to collide with the tundra at the north end of the lake as the airplane was just taking off. In a written statement to the park rangers, the pilot indicated that he taxied onto the lake and began his takeoff toward the north. He reported that he did not allow sufficient takeoff distance and the airplane descended into the tundra.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC96LA127