N1453V

On April 25, 2006, about 1835 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Cessna 172 airplane, N1453V, sustained substantial damage following a loss of control during takeoff/initial climb from the Tuluksak Airport, Tuluksak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) on-demand air taxi passenger flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The airplane was owned and operated by Inland Aviation Services, Aniak, Alaska. The airline transport pilot, and the two passengers, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the Tuluksak Airport, and was en route to the Bethel Airport, Bethel, Alaska.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on April 26, the pilot reported that he was departing from Runway 20, a 2,461 foot-long, slush and snow-covered gravel runway. He said that the airplane became airborne after using about two-thirds of the runway, but would not climb. According to the pilot, the airplane remained airborne while still in ground effect. Once the airplane passed over the departure end of the runway, the airplane stalled, and collided with a stand of trees and snow-covered terrain. It came to rest about 50 yards from the departure end of the runway. The airplane sustained structural damage to the wings, fuselage, and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot said that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. He reported that at the time of departure there was about 21.5 gallons of fuel on board, or about 50 percent of the airplane's total fuel capacity (43.0 gallons).

According to the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) submitted by the operator, the estimated fuel on board at the time of the accident was 15 gallons.

On April 26, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector assigned to the Anchorage Flight Standards District Office, traveled to the accident site. The FAA inspector estimated the combined weight of the two passengers was about 660 pounds. The FAA inspector also reported that the front seat passenger was too large to use the seatbelt, and he was unrestrained in his seat at the time of the accident.

The following weights were used to estimate the airplane's gross weight at takeoff:

Empty weight of airplane: 1,466.0 pounds

Pilot's weight from12/29/05 medical: 200.0 pounds

Front seat passenger: 430.0 pounds

Rear seat passenger: 230.0 pounds

Fuel, 21.5 gallons: 129.0 pounds

Survival gear and passenger baggage 30.0 pounds

The estimated gross weight of the airplane at takeoff was 2,485 pounds, or approximately 185 pounds in excess of the maximum takeoff gross weight of 2,300 pounds.