# NTSB ANC05CA132: Cessna 172, N4714F, Tyonek, AK, August 29, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 29, 2005, 12:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Tyonek, AK - Coordinates: 61.166667, -151.034164 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1667&lon=-151.0342&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 62357 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC05CA132 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62357/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05CA132 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during takeoff-initial climb, which resulted in a loss of control, and subsequent in-flight collision with a creek. A factor associated with the accident is a sudden windshift. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - sudden windshift (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The commercial pilot with three passengers were departing from a 1200-foot long, gravel-covered off airport site. The pilot said that just after takeoff, as the airplane began to climb, a sudden wind shift caused the airplane to descend into a creek located at the departure end of the site. The airplane sustained structural damage to the wings, fuselage, and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot said that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On August 29, 2005, about 1215 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Cessna 172 airplane, N4714F, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from an off airport site, located about 65 miles northwest of Tyonek, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) on-demand air taxi passenger flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The airplane was registered to Stephen E. Hunter, and operated by Great Northern Air LLC, Anchorage, Alaska. The commercial pilot and the three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the off airport site, and was en route to the Lake Hood Airstrip, Anchorage. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on August 29, just after being rescued, the pilot reported that he was departing from a 1,200 foot-long, gravel-covered off airport site, with three members of a hunting party aboard. He said that just after takeoff, as the airplane began to climb, a sudden wind change caused the airplane to descend into a creek located at the departure end of the site. The airplane sustained structural damage to the wings, fuselage, and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot said that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. Neither the pilot, nor the operator, elected to include a written statement with the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) submitted by the operator. Additionally, there was no wind information included on the completed form. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4714F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4714F), registered now, S/N 17273075 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17273075 - Airframe hours: 9251.4 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Great Northern Air LLC - Registered owner: Stephen Hunter - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 1, 2005, 85 hours before - Departed: Tyonek, AK - Destination: Z41, ANCHORAGE, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 2,000 total, 90 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20050829019709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050829019709A), Aug 29, 2005: Cessna 172N, Tyonek, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot experienced a wind shift on takeoff and attempted to abort the takeoff. Aircraft hit ground hard, veered from takeoff path, and sustained… 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.