N2989D

Substantial
Minor

CESSNA 170BS/N: 26932

Accident Details

Date
Thursday, March 26, 2009
NTSB Number
ANC09CA026
Location
Dillingham, AK
Event ID
20090327X25149
Coordinates
58.987777, -158.621383
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
2
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff and his failure to attain adequate airspeed to avoid an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to take off with the airplane over its maximum allowable gross weight.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N2989D
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
26932
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1955
Model / ICAO
170BC170
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
COPPER RIVER AIRMOTIVE LLC
Address
HC 60 BOX 2518
Status
Deregistered
City
COPPER CENTER
State / Zip Code
AK 99573
Country
United States

Analysis

The private pilot was taking off from a snow-covered area in a ski-equipped airplane for a personal local flight. The pilot said that he took off to the south, but that the snow conditions caused more drag than expected. He said that the airplane cleared the first part of the trees at the end of the takeoff area, but that the wing stalled and the right wing dropped. The airplane then clipped the top of the trees and descended, coming to rest on its right side. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane, and that he had packed down the takeoff area with a snow machine prior to taking off. He also reported that he aborted a takeoff to the northeast just before the accident takeoff to the south. In a written statement, the pilot reported the maximum gross weight of the airplane as 2200 pounds and its weight at the time of the takeoff as 2600 pounds.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC09CA026