# NTSB ANC01LA065: Cessna 170B, N4659C, Sand Point, AK, June 4, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 3, 2001, 18:30 local (Jun 4, 2001, 02:30 UTC) - Place: Sand Point, AK - Coordinates: 56.216667, -160.066665 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.2167&lon=-160.0667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 53197 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC01LA065 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53197/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA065 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions while on approach, and the inadvertent stall of the airplane while attempting a go-around. A factor associated with the accident was a crosswind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, approach - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr) - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr) ## Analysis The certificated private pilot reported to the NTSB that while on approach to landing to the west, he encountered winds estimated to be from 220 degrees at 20 knots with gusts to 25 knots, which required a left crosswind correction. He said as the airplane continued on the approach, he inadvertently allowed the airplane to fly further down the runway than anticipated, so he applied full engine power to go-around. He said that during the go-around attempt, a very strong gust of wind pushed the airplane to the right, and the airplane's airspeed rapidly diminished. The nose of the airplane continued to the right, and the right wing stalled. The right wing and right main wheel struck the ground, and the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, and right wing. ## Factual narrative On June 3, 2001, about 1830 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Cessna 170B airplane, N4659C, sustained substantial damage during landing at the Sandy River Lodge Airstrip, about 55 miles northeast of Sand Point, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was in effect. The flight departed from the Wolf Lake Airstrip in Palmer, Alaska, about 1200, en route to King Salmon, Alaska, to refuel, then continued to the Sandy River Lodge Airstrip. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on June 7, the pilot reported that during the flight from King Salmon, en route to the Sandy River Lodge Airstrip, strong headwinds and turbulence were encountered. He added that after arriving overhead of the accident airstrip, he noted that the winds were out of the southwest, favoring a landing to the west. While on approach to the west, he encountered winds estimated to be from 220 degrees at 20 knots with gusts to 25 knots, which required a left crosswind correction. He said as the airplane continued on the approach, he inadvertently allowed the airplane to fly further down the runway than anticipated, so he applied full engine power to go-around. He said that during the go-around attempt, a very strong gust of wind pushed the airplane to the right, and the airplane's airspeed rapidly diminished. The nose of the airplane continued to the right, and the right wing stalled. The right wing and right main wheel struck the ground, and the right main landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, and right wing. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4659C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4659C), registered now, S/N 25603, built 1953 (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: 25603 - Airframe hours: 5000 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John D. Glass - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 24, 2000, 190 hours before - Departed: AKN, King Salmon, AK - Destination: SDP, Sand Point, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: Sandy River Lodge Airstrip, runway 27, 1,400 × 50 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 1, 1999; seat: left; flight hours: 1,000 total, 675 in this make and model, 850 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 20 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft overcast - Temperature: 45 °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 20010603039809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010603039809A), Jun 3, 2001: Cessna 170B, Sandy River, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) On June 03, 2001, Mr. Glass was landing at the Sandy River strip approximately 25 miles northeast of port moller, Alaska. After determining a strong… ## Other investigations on N4659C (2) 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 ANC91LA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA083), Jun 30, 1991: Cessna 170B (N4659C), Lake Louise, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT NOT MAINTAINING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ROUGH CONDITION OF THE AIRSTRIP. - [NTSB ANC90LA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA043), Mar 17, 1990: Cessna 170B (N4659C), Sulatna Cross, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT FAILED TO ADEQUATELY ASSESS THE EXISTING SNOW CONDITIONS AND SURROUNDING TERRAIN (PREFLIGHT PLANNING) PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: THE LIGHTING CONDITIONS, THE PILOT'S OVER… 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.