N2459L

On December 5, 2003, about 1500 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Cessna 172 airplane, N2459L, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a log and a partially frozen lake during takeoff from Bold Airstrip, located about 14 miles southeast of Chugiak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo commercial certificated pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight that originated from Merrill Field Airport, Anchorage, Alaska, about one hour prior to the accident.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on December 7, the pilot reported that he had not planned to land anywhere before returning to Anchorage, however, about one hour after departure, he elected to land at the Bold Airstrip before returning to Anchorage. The pilot reported that during touchdown on the snow-covered, 1,000 foot long by 30 foot wide airstrip, the main wheels contacted deeper snow than he had anticipated, and the airplane had a very short ground roll. He said that before departing, he taxied the airplane back-and-forth on the airstrip to pack the snow to provide a suitable takeoff surface. He indicated that the departure end of the airstrip extended to the shoreline of Eklutna Lake, which was covered with a thin layer of ice.

The pilot said that during the takeoff run, the airplane's acceleration was hindered due to deep and loose snow on the surface of the airstrip. Nearing the end of the airstrip, the airplane lifted off, but would not climb. He said that as the airplane passed over the end of the airstrip, the nose wheel struck a large stump that was located on the beach, between the end of the airstrip and the shoreline of Eklutna Lake. After the collision, the airplane descended onto the surface of the ice-covered lake, approximately 70 feet from the shoreline, and broke through the ice. Prior to the airplane sinking, the pilot swam to shore. The pilot said that prior to the sinking, he saw structural damage to the airplane's wings and empennage. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.