Summary
On March 05, 2000, a Cessna 170B (N2814C) was involved in an incident near Big Lake, AK. All 3 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff. Factors in the accident were soft, snow-covered terrain, and an inadvertent ground loop.
On March 5, 2000, about 1620 Alaska standard time, a ski-equipped Cessna 170B airplane, N2814C, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from a remote, snow-covered area, about 20 miles west of Big Lake, Alaska, about latitude 61 degrees, 34 minutes north, and longitude 150 degrees, 29 minutes west. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight to Anchorage, Alaska, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, and the two passengers, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.
During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on March 6, 2000, the pilot reported he was taking off toward the east.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC00LA031. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N2814C.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff. Factors in the accident were soft, snow-covered terrain, and an inadvertent ground loop.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On March 5, 2000, about 1620 Alaska standard time, a ski-equipped Cessna 170B airplane, N2814C, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from a remote, snow-covered area, about 20 miles west of Big Lake, Alaska, about latitude 61 degrees, 34 minutes north, and longitude 150 degrees, 29 minutes west. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight to Anchorage, Alaska, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, and the two passengers, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.
During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on March 6, 2000, the pilot reported he was taking off toward the east. During the takeoff run, the pilot said he noticed sloping terrain in front of the airplane that angled sharply to the left. To avoid the drop off, he applied right rudder, and turned about 10 degrees to the right. He then applied left rudder to stop the turn, but the left ski dug into soft snow. The airplane ground looped to the left, and then nosed down in the snow. The airplane received damage to the landing gear, both wings, and the left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot said the wind conditions were calm.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC00LA031