# NTSB ANC07CA052: Cessna 175, N7624M, Stoney River, AK, June 23, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 22, 2007, 17:00 local (Jun 23, 2007, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Stoney River, AK
- Coordinates: 61.210266, -149.249526 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2103&lon=-149.2495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 27, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: Anchorage FSDO-03
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66202
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC07CA052
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66202/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC07CA052

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance during takeoff-initial climb, which resulted in the airplane colliding with a tree, and an uncontrolled descent.

## 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
  - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The solo private certificated pilot was departing on a visual flight rules (VFR) personal cross-country flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred.  In a written statement the pilot wrote that he was taking off from a private gravel airstrip in moderate rain showers.  He indicated that during takeoff-initial climb, the airplane's right wing encountered a tree, and the airplane nosed in.  He reported that the airplane sustained damage to the right wing and fuselage, and that the landing gear and engine separated from the airplane.  In his report, he noted that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane, and that he should have waited for the rain to subside, and widened that end of the runway.  Do to the remote location, the airplane was not examined by the NTSB.

## Factual narrative

The solo private certificated pilot was departing on a visual flight rules (VFR) personal cross-country flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred.  In a written statement the pilot wrote that he was taking off from a private gravel airstrip in moderate rain showers.  He indicated that during takeoff-initial climb, the airplane's right wing encountered a tree, and the airplane nosed in.  He reported that the airplane sustained damage to the right wing and fuselage, and that the landing gear and engine separated from the airplane.  In his report, he noted that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane, and that he should have waited for the rain to subside, and widened that end of the runway.  Do to the remote location, the airplane was not examined by the NTSB.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7624M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7624M-2017-04-13), registration cancelled 2017-04-13, S/N 55924, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 175
- Registry model: [Cessna 175](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (registry code 2072502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 55924
- Airframe hours: 3100
- Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Max Cole
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2005
- Departed: Stoney River, AK
- Destination: FAI, Fairbanks, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: left; flight hours: 2,100 total, 900 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 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 20070622013769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070622013769A), Jun 22, 2007: Cessna 175, Stony River, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) On takeoff roll from an off airport gravel bar, the aircraft hit some willows causing it to pull to the left hitting some trees. Substantial damage to…

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.

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