# NTSB ANC06LA049: Cessna 172, N1453V, Tuluksak, AK, April 26, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 25, 2006, 18:35 local (Apr 26, 2006, 02:35 UTC) - Place: Tuluksak, AK - Coordinates: 61.096668, -160.969451 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.0967&lon=-160.9695&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report November 29, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Anchorage FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 63597 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC06LA049 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63597/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC06LA049 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent stall/mush during takeoff-initial climb, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees and terrain. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's excessive loading of the airplane, his inadequate preflight planning, and a slush-covered runway. ## 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 - terrain condition - slush covered (contributing factor) - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The certificated airline transport pilot was departing on a Title 14, CFR Part 135, on-demand air taxi passenger flight from a 2,461 foot-long slush and snow-covered gravel runway. The pilot reported that the airplane became airborne after using about two-thirds of the runway, but would not climb. Once the airplane passed over the departure end of the runway, it stalled and collided with a stand of trees and snow-covered terrain. 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. A postaccident investigation revealed that the estimated gross weight of the airplane at takeoff was about 2,485 pounds, or approximately 185 pounds in excess of the maximum takeoff gross weight of 2,300 pounds. ## Factual narrative On April 25, 2006, about 1835 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Cessna 172 airplane, N1453V, sustained substantial damage following a loss of control during takeoff/initial climb from the Tuluksak Airport, Tuluksak, 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 owned and operated by Inland Aviation Services, Aniak, Alaska. The airline transport pilot, and the two passengers, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the Tuluksak Airport, and was en route to the Bethel Airport, Bethel, Alaska. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on April 26, the pilot reported that he was departing from Runway 20, a 2,461 foot-long, slush and snow-covered gravel runway. He said that the airplane became airborne after using about two-thirds of the runway, but would not climb. According to the pilot, the airplane remained airborne while still in ground effect. Once the airplane passed over the departure end of the runway, the airplane stalled, and collided with a stand of trees and snow-covered terrain. It came to rest about 50 yards from the departure end of the runway. 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. He reported that at the time of departure there was about 21.5 gallons of fuel on board, or about 50 percent of the airplane's total fuel capacity (43.0 gallons). According to the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) submitted by the operator, the estimated fuel on board at the time of the accident was 15 gallons. On April 26, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector assigned to the Anchorage Flight Standards District Office, traveled to the accident site. The FAA inspector estimated the combined weight of the two passengers was about 660 pounds. The FAA inspector also reported that the front seat passenger was too large to use the seatbelt, and he was unrestrained in his seat at the time of the accident. The following weights were used to estimate the airplane's gross weight at takeoff: Empty weight of airplane: 1,466.0 pounds Pilot's weight from12/29/05 medical: 200.0 pounds Front seat passenger: 430.0 pounds Rear seat passenger: 230.0 pounds Fuel, 21.5 gallons: 129.0 pounds Survival gear and passenger baggage 30.0 pounds The estimated gross weight of the airplane at takeoff was 2,485 pounds, or approximately 185 pounds in excess of the maximum takeoff gross weight of 2,300 pounds. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1453V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1453V-2017-09-19), registration cancelled 2017-09-19, S/N 17263590, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17263590 - Airframe hours: 10812.3 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E20 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Inland Aviation Services Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 1, 2006, 24.1 hours before - Departed: TLT, Tuluksak, AK - Destination: BET, Bethel, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: TLT, Tuluksak Airport, runway 20, 2,461 × 30 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 9,500 total, 250 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft overcast - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 14 °F - Altimeter: 29.76 inHg - Observed at: PANI, 14 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 20060425007019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060425007019A), Apr 25, 2006: Cessna 172M, Tuluksak, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft departed runway 20 from Tuluksak Airport, AK (tlt) with pilot and two passengers on board the part 135 on-demand flight. According to the… ## Other investigations on N1453V (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 ANC04IA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04IA078), Jul 14, 2004: Cessna 172M (N1453V), Aniak, AK, incident, minor damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power. 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.