19990920029139A

(.19) On September 20, 1999, about 1300 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Stinson 108 airplane, N97713, was destroyed by impact and a postimpact fire, when the airplane crashed on takeoff from a remote area, about 10 miles south of the Sparrevohn long range radar station (lrrs), Sparrevohn, Alaska, about latitude 60 degrees, 55 minutes north, and longitude 155 degrees, 35 minutes west. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight to iliamna, Alaska, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. During a telephone conversation with the national transportation safety board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (iic), on October 13, 1999, at 0905, the pilot reported he and two friends landed on a remote ridge top to go hunting. At the completion of the trip, he loaded the airplane with moose and caribou meat, and planned to fly to iliamna. The pilot said he departed the ridge top toward the east. During the takeoff roll, an approximate 20 knot gust of wind struck the airplane from the right. The airplane was pushed to the left, and the left wing struck some bushes. The airplane pivoted to the left and descended downhill. After the airplane came to rest, it caught fire, and was destroyed. The pilot and his two friends hiked out of the area, and arrived at the Sparrevohn lrrs two days later. (.4) on September 20, 1999, about 1300 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Stinson 108 airplane, N97713, was destroyed by impact and a postimpact fire, when the airplane crashed on takeoff from a remote area, about 10 miles south of the Sparrevohn long range radar station (lrrs), Sparrevohn, Alaska, about latitude 60 degrees, 55 minutes north, and longitude 155 degrees, 35 minutes west. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight to iliamna, Alaska, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. During a telephone conversation with the national transportation safety board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (iic), on October 13, 199 9, at 0905, the pilot reported he and two friends landed on a remote ridge top to go hunting. At the completion of the trip, he loaded the airplane with moose and caribou meat, and planned to fly to iliamna. The pilot said he departed the ridge top toward the east. During the takeoff roll, an approximate 20 knot gust of wind struck the airplane from the right. The airplane was pushed to the left, and the left wing struck some bushes. The airplane pivoted to the left and descended downhill. After the airplane came to rest, it caught fire, and was destroyed. The pilot and his two friends hiked out of the area, and arrived at the Sparrevohn lrrs two days later. (-23) inspector discovered accident. The pilot stated he was taking off from a mountain ridge when the aircraft was hit by a severe wind gust and was blown sideways to the left, where the left wingtip hit a bush and the aircraft was pulled around and the pilot lost control. The aircraft skidded down a 60 degree slope tearing off the engine and catching fire. The pilot managed to escape without injuries, but the aircraft was destroyed.