# NTSB ANC08LA088: Cessna 150, N22563, Manley Hot Spgs, AK, July 12, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 12, 2008, 00:05 local (08:05 UTC) - Place: Manley Hot Spgs, AK - Coordinates: 64.779167, -149.963333 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.7792&lon=-149.9633&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 11, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA-AL-FAI FSDO 01 - NTSB case key (mKey): 68502 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC08LA088 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68502/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08LA088 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, which resulted in a collision with a ditch during the takeoff roll. Factors contributing to the accident were low light conditions at dusk, and soft terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Light condition: low light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036015/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: nose/tail gear strut/axle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023222): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023222/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023222/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was departing from a sand bar in a tricycle gear-equipped airplane at dusk. During the takeoff run, he said the airplane was slow to accelerate due to loose gravel/sand, so he aborted the takeoff. A second attempt to takeoff produced similar results, and the pilot again aborted the takeoff. He then positioned the airplane onto an area of grass, and attempted a third takeoff run. The airplane was rolling on grass and sand, and only accelerated to about 36 mph, so the pilot made a slight left turn to extend his takeoff area. The nose gear collided with an unseen ditch, and collapsed rearward. The airplane received structural damage to the left wing rear spar cap, and a fuselage bulkhead. The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction of the airplane. ## Factual narrative On July 12, 2008, about 0005 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 150 airplane, N22563, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a ditch during the takeoff run from a remote gravel bar, about 20 miles east-southeast of Manley Hot Springs, Alaska. The airplane was operated by the pilot as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Fairbanks International Airport, Fairbanks, Alaska, about 2305, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on July 14, the pilot reported that he had flown to a remote lake to look at land, and was returning to Fairbanks, when he decided to land on a gravel bar in the Tanana River at dusk. The landing was without incident, and the pilot described the lighting conditions as somewhat flat, due to smoke in the area. During the takeoff run from the gravel bar, the pilot said the airplane was slow to accelerate due to the loose gravel/sand, so he aborted the takeoff. A second attempt to takeoff produced similar results, and the pilot again aborted the takeoff. He then positioned the airplane onto an area of grass, and attempted a third takeoff run. The airplane was rolling on grass and sand, and only accelerated to about 36 mph, so the pilot made a slight left turn to extend his takeoff area. The nose gear collided with an unseen ditch during the takeoff and collapsed rearward. In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) submitted by the pilot, he indicated that there was no mechanical malfunction of the airplane. In the "Recommendation (How could this accident have been prevented)" portion of the report, the pilot noted that he should not have landed on an unknown surface, and considered other options before the final takeoff attempt. On July 23, the pilot notified the NTSB IIC that an examination of the airplane by a maintenance facility revealed structural damage to the left wing rear spar cap, and damage to the belly bulkhead at fuselage station 27.92. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N22563](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N22563), registered now, S/N 15068364, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150 - Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15068364 - Airframe hours: 3959 - Engines: Continental O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Michael Davis - Registered owner: Michael Davis - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, September 22, 2007, 45 hours before - Departed: PAFA, Fairbanks, AK - Destination: PAFA, Fairbanks, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 9, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 171 total, 99 in this make and model, 140 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: calm - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg ## 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 20080712843059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080712843059A), Jul 12, 2008: Cessna 150, Manley Hot Spr, AK, Minor damage. (-23) Pilot stated during takeoff, while in ground effect, the nose gear struck an unseen dip in the gravel strip takeoff path causing the nose gear 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. --- 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.