Summary
On February 11, 2011, a Cessna 170A (N9768A) was involved in an accident near Baker Lake, WA. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's encounter with soft terrain during an attempted takeoff from a dry lake bed.
According to the pilot, he performed about 20 touch-and-go landings on the dry lake bed prior to the accident. He stated that the terrain was mostly flat, but in places it was uneven and rough. During the last landing, the airplane's wheels became bogged down in the terrain, and the propeller struck the ground. The pilot shut down the engine, inspected the propeller, and examined the planned takeoff path for suitability. Thereafter, he attempted to depart. As the airplane accelerated, the left main landing gear encountered an area of soft dirt. The airplane impacted a berm whereupon it nosed over, bending the wing structure and the vertical stabilizer. The pilot further reported that no mechanical malfunction had precipitated the accident.
This accident is documented in NTSB report WPR11CA132. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N9768A.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's encounter with soft terrain during an attempted takeoff from a dry lake bed.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
According to the pilot, he performed about 20 touch-and-go landings on the dry lake bed prior to the accident. He stated that the terrain was mostly flat, but in places it was uneven and rough. During the last landing, the airplane's wheels became bogged down in the terrain, and the propeller struck the ground. The pilot shut down the engine, inspected the propeller, and examined the planned takeoff path for suitability. Thereafter, he attempted to depart. As the airplane accelerated, the left main landing gear encountered an area of soft dirt. The airplane impacted a berm whereupon it nosed over, bending the wing structure and the vertical stabilizer. The pilot further reported that no mechanical malfunction had precipitated the accident.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR11CA132