19990328011509A

On March 28, 1999, about 1730 Alaska standard time, a Cessna 170B wheel-ski eqipped airplane, N3200A, sustained substantial damage during an attempted off airport takeoff from a snow-covered site about 10 miles southeast of mccarthy, Alaska. The private pilot and the one passenger aboard were not injured. The personal, 14 CFR part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions. A VFR flight plan was filed. The intended destination was palmer, Alaska. During a telephone conversation with an NTSB investigator on March 29, the pilot reported he was attempting to takeof from an area comprised of packed snow, that was approximately 1,200 feet long. He said the airplane did not have sufficient airspeed prior to reaching the end of the takeoff area. He elected to lower the wing flaps, and the airplane became airborne for a short distance, but then settled to the ground and collided with trees. The pilot indicated there were no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane. (-23)on take-off from a 1500 foot snow covered strip, the wheel-ski equipped aircraft failed to gain sufficient flying speed to climb and clear trees at the end. The aircraft stalled and impacted trees. (.4) the private pilot was attempting a takeoff with his wheel-ski equipped airplane from an airstrip 1,200 feet long, packed with snow. He said the airplane became airborne about midfield, but settled onto the runway. He elected to continue the takeoff, and again became airborne near the end of the runway. He said he did not have sufficient altitude to clear the trees at the end of the runway, and stalled the airplane onto the end of the runway. The airplane continued off the end of the runway, and collided with a tree. The pilot related that he thought the wind was light and variable prior to takeoff, but thinks he may have encountered a tailwind during the takeoff roll. He said there were no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane.