# NTSB ANC01LA128: Cessna 170B, N4669C, Fairbanks, AK, August 29, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 29, 2001, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 64.262779, -147.499725 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.2628&lon=-147.4997&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 20, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA-AL-FAI FSDO 01 - NTSB case key (mKey): 53140 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC01LA128 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53140/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA128 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent stall/mush during the initial climb after takeoff, and subsequent in-flight collision with 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 - object - tree(s) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - grass - landing gear,main gear strut - overload ## Analysis The private certificated pilot was departing toward the north from a remote area that was about 700 feet long and 40 feet wide. The pilot said he had utilized the area for landing in the past. The terrain below the takeoff area had several trees, and then an open area of tall grass. The pilot said the airplane lifted off the ground during the takeoff run, but then seemed to "mush" downward. He lowered the nose of the airplane but the left wing collided with a tree about 20 feet above the ground. The pilot then pulled the engine power off, and the airplane descended into the area of grass. During the touchdown, the left main landing gear strut was displaced aft from its attach point at the fuselage. ## Factual narrative On August 29, 2001, about 1300 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Cessna 170B airplane, N4669C, sustained substantial damage during a takeoff from a remote area, about 35 miles southeast of Fairbanks, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on August 30, the pilot reported that he was departing toward the north from a small bench area that is about 700 feet long, and 40 feet wide. The pilot said he had utilized the area for landing in the past. The terrain below the bench had several trees, and then an open area of tall grass. The pilot said the airplane lifted off the ground during the takeoff run, but then seemed to "mush" downward. He lowered the nose of the airplane but the left wing collided with a tree about 20 feet above the ground. The pilot then pulled the engine power off, and the airplane descended into the area of grass. During the touchdown, the left main landing gear strut was displaced aft from its attach point at the fuselage. The closest official weather observation station is Fairbanks, Alaska, which is located 35 nautical miles northwest of the accident site. On August 29, at 1353, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) was reporting in part: Wind, 090 degrees (true) at 6 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, few at 6,000 feet, 10,000 feet scattered, 18,000 feet scattered; temperature, 68 degrees F; dew point, 42 degrees F; altimeter, 29.51 inHg. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4669C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4669C), registered now, S/N 25613, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 170B - Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-340-series) (registry code 41510, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25613 - Airframe hours: 1194 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kent E. Owens - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: FAIRBANKS, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, invalid medical for flight; last flight review January 10, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 577 total, 546 in this make and model, 535 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.51 inHg - Observed at: PAFA, 35 nm away ## 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 20010829022629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010829022629A), Aug 29, 2001: Cessna 170B, Fairbanks, AK, No damage. (.19) On August 29, 2001, about 1430 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Cessna 170B airplane, N4669C, sustained substantial damage during a takeoff… ## Other investigations on N4669C (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 ANC02LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA034), May 16, 2002: Cessna 170B (N4669C), North Pole, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The separation of the right main landing gear from the airplane during landing. A factor associated with the accident is the unapproved hardware used to attach the main landing gear. 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.