19990728010069A

Acft crashed on take-off and sustained substantial damage, other circumstances are unknown. (.19) on July 28, 1999, about 1800 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 172 airplane, N79169, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from the Sheldon Point airport, Sheldon Point, Alaska. The airplane was being operate by grant aviation of bethel, Alaska, as a visual flight rules (VFR) positioning flight under title 14 CFR part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo airline transport pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the emmonak airport, emmonak, Alaska, and the intended destination was emmonak. During a telephone conversation with the national transportation safety board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge on July 29, the pilot reported he was attempting to depart on runway 20. He said there was a gusty left crosswind, of about 18 knots and 90 degrees to the runway. Shortly after beginning the takeoff roll, he said a wind gust lifted the left wing, and pushed the airplane to the right, and off the runway. He said he reduced power and attempted to keep the airplane on the runway, but the airplane went off the runway, down an embankment, and nosed over. The pilot said there was no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. The airplane received substantial damage to the right wing and vertical stabilizer. (-23) pilot attempted take-off from runway 20 at Sheldon Point, Alaska. At the time of take-off he estimated the winds to be 18 KTS from 100 degrees during take-off the pilot lost control of the right side of the runway. Aircraft rolled down the embankment next to runway and aircraft was flipped over on its back by the wind. The pilot attributed a gust of wind on the take-off roll to losing control of the aircraft. He stated that he had operated out of Sheldon Point only 20 minuted earlier with no difficulty, under similar conditions. In reviewing pilot training records it was revealed that the pilot had received his competency check under dfar 135.293 in a Cessna 207 and only an oral exam in the Cessna 172, as allowed by the regulations and grant aviations approved training manual. Pilot was on return leg with no revenue, under cfar part 91. (.4) the solo airline transport pilot reported he was attempting to takeoff in a gusty, 90 degree left crosswind. He estimated the wind velocity as 18 knots, gusting to 23 knots. During the takeoff roll, he said a gust of wind lifted the left wing, and forced the airplane to the right, off the runway, and down an embankment, where it nosed over. The pilot said there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.