# NTSB ANC00LA031: Cessna 170B, N2814C, Big Lake, AK, March 5, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 5, 2000, 16:20 local (20:20 UTC) - Place: Big Lake, AK - Coordinates: 61.460819, -150.089767 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4608&lon=-150.0898&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 48740 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC00LA031 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48740/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA031 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff. Factors in the accident were soft, snow-covered terrain, and an inadvertent ground loop. ## 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 - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Nose down, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis The private certificated pilot was departing a remote, snow-covered area in a ski equipped airplane. During the takeoff run, the pilot said he noticed sloping terrain in front of the airplane that angled sharply to the left. To avoid the drop off, he applied right rudder, and turned about 10 degrees to the right. He then applied left rudder to stop the turn, but the left ski dug into soft snow. The airplane ground looped to the left, and then nosed down in the snow. The airplane received damage to the landing gear, both wings, and the left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot said the wind conditions were calm. ## Factual narrative On March 5, 2000, about 1620 Alaska standard time, a ski-equipped Cessna 170B airplane, N2814C, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from a remote, snow-covered area, about 20 miles west of Big Lake, Alaska, about latitude 61 degrees, 34 minutes north, and longitude 150 degrees, 29 minutes west. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight to Anchorage, Alaska, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, and the two passengers, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on March 6, 2000, the pilot reported he was taking off toward the east. During the takeoff run, the pilot said he noticed sloping terrain in front of the airplane that angled sharply to the left. To avoid the drop off, he applied right rudder, and turned about 10 degrees to the right. He then applied left rudder to stop the turn, but the left ski dug into soft snow. The airplane ground looped to the left, and then nosed down in the snow. The airplane received damage to the landing gear, both wings, and the left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot said the wind conditions were calm. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2814C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2814C), registered now, S/N 26357, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 170B - Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 26357 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert D. Stone - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 1999 - Destination: PANC, ANCHORAGE, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 225 total, 150 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °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 20000305041999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000305041999A), Mar 5, 2000: Cessna 170B, Big Lake, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) Airman observed another aircraft take off in the area on the yenta river on gravel bar covered with snow. He thought he would be able to take off in the… ## Other investigations on N2814C (1) 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. - [NTSB ANC13FA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC13FA024), Feb 18, 2013: Cessna 170B (N2814C), Skwentna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed during a departure turn, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain. 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.