# NTSB ANC00LA025: Cessna 207, N327CT, Tuluksak, AK, February 7, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 7, 2000, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Tuluksak, AK - Coordinates: 61.099445, -160.940628 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.0994&lon=-160.9406&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 5 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 48721 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC00LA025 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48721/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA025 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain proper alignment during the takeoff roll. A factor associated with the accident was a soft area of snow on the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, takeoff - aborted ## Analysis The scheduled commuter flight with a pilot and four passengers was attempting to takeoff at dusk from a 2500 feet long, by 30 feet wide, snow-covered runway. The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, the airplane veered suddenly to the left, towards the edge of the runway and an adjacent snow berm. He said he aborted the takeoff, but could not keep the airplane from striking a berm and nosing over. The pilot said he believes the airplane's main landing gear may have encountered an area of soft snow on the runway, which initiated the veer to the left. Postaccident inspection discovered no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On February 7, 2000, about 1800 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Cessna 207 airplane, N327CT, operated as scheduled commuter Flight 71 by Hageland Aviation, Bethel, Alaska, sustained substantial damage during a takeoff attempt from the Tuluksak Airport, Tuluksak, Alaska. The commercial certificated pilot and the four passengers aboard reported no injuries. The flight was en route to Bethel. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan was in effect. During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on February 8, the pilot related that he began a takeoff from the north ramp area onto runway 20. He said the 2,500 feet long by 30 feet wide runway was plowed to the edges, and the edges were marked with cones. He noted there were berms outside of, and up to, the cones, and that in some areas, clumps of snow were visible on the runway from where snow machines had crossed. The pilot related that about 60 knots indicated airspeed, just prior to rotation, the airplane veered suddenly to the left. He said he pulled the throttle to idle, and attempted to correct to the right. He was unable to recover control of the airplane prior to the left wingtip striking a berm on the left edge of the runway. The airplane continued towards the berm, and nosed over. The pilot indicated the airplane's landing gear may have encountered either soft snow on the runway, or a mound of snow or ice, which pulled the airplane to the left. The pilot said the wind was calm, and the skies clear. He said it was difficult to distinguish objects or terrain features due to the flat light, and the lack of contrast between the runway and surrounding snow-covered terrain. Postaccident inspection of the airplane disclosed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N327CT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N327CT), registered now, S/N 20700535, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 207 - Registry model: [Cessna 207A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-207a) (registry code 2073604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20700535 - Airframe hours: 9945 - Engines: Continental IO-520-F27B 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Hageland Aviation Services - Registered owner: Gussic Ventures - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Z13, AKIACHAK, AK - Destination: BET, BETHEL, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: TLT, Tulusak, runway 20, 2,500 × 30 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,900 total, 950 in this make and model, 1,750 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: calm - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 34 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20000207039639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000207039639A), Feb 7, 2000: Cessna 207A, Tuluksak, AK, Substantial damage. (.4)The scheduled commuter flight with a pilot and four passengers was attempting to takeoff at dusk from a 2500 feet long, by 30 feet wide, snow-covered… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.