# NTSB ANC00LA016: Taylorcraft F-19, N3719T, Skwentna, AK, December 5, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 5, 1999, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Skwentna, AK
- Coordinates: 61.930404, -151.729736 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.9304&lon=-151.7297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 48512
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC00LA016
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48512/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA016

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing/takeoff area.  Factors associated with the accident were snow-covered terrain, and a tree.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The certificated private pilot was attempting to do a touch-and-go landing on a snow-covered airstrip.  He stated that just after touchdown, he realized that the snow was deeper than anticipated, and he applied full power.  In his written report to the NTSB, the pilot wrote: 'On takeoff, with soft snow creating additional drag, I had trouble attaining a comfortable takeoff speed.  After lift-off, my ski hit a spruce tree, and I stalled.'  The airplane nosed over, and sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and rudder.  The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On December 5, 1999, about 1530 Alaska standard time, a ski equipped Taylorcraft F-19 airplane, N3719T, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from a remote airstrip, about 18 miles southwest of Skwentna, Alaska, at 61 degrees 40 minutes north latitude, 151 degrees 23 minutes west longitude.  The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred.  The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot.  The certificated private pilot received serious injuries, and the sole passenger aboard received minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.  The flight originated from Lake Hood, Anchorage, Alaska, about 1415.

The pilot submitted a written report to the NTSB dated December 19.  In his written report, the pilot indicated that he was attempting to do a touch-and-go landing on a snow-covered airstrip, before continuing on to his destination.  He stated that just after touchdown, he realized that the snow was deeper than anticipated, and he applied full power.  He wrote: "On takeoff, with soft snow creating additional drag, I had trouble attaining a comfortable takeoff speed.  After lift-off, my ski hit a spruce tree, and I stalled."  The airplane nosed over, and sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and rudder.

The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3719T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3719T-2013-09-24), registration cancelled 2013-09-24, S/N F-110, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Taylorcraft F-19
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft F19](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-f19) (registry code 8850904) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: F-110
- Airframe hours: 1023
- Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James W. Dawson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1999, 1 hours before
- Departed: LHD, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Airport: runway 27, 850 × 50 ft, snow

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 111 total, 19 in this make and model, 51 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 16 °F

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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