# NTSB ANC09CA026: Cessna 170B, N2989D, Dillingham, AK, March 26, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 26, 2009, 14:10 local (22:10 UTC) - Place: Dillingham, AK - Coordinates: 58.987777, -158.621383 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.9878&lon=-158.6214&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 28, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 73564 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC09CA026 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73564/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09CA026 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff and his failure to attain adequate airspeed to avoid an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to take off with the airplane over its maximum allowable gross weight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: maximum weight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 152 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061035/cases.md) - [Terrain: snowy/icy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot was taking off from a snow-covered area in a ski-equipped airplane for a personal local flight. The pilot said that he took off to the south, but that the snow conditions caused more drag than expected. He said that the airplane cleared the first part of the trees at the end of the takeoff area, but that the wing stalled and the right wing dropped. The airplane then clipped the top of the trees and descended, coming to rest on its right side. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane, and that he had packed down the takeoff area with a snow machine prior to taking off. He also reported that he aborted a takeoff to the northeast just before the accident takeoff to the south. In a written statement, the pilot reported the maximum gross weight of the airplane as 2200 pounds and its weight at the time of the takeoff as 2600 pounds. ## Factual narrative The private pilot was taking off from a snow-covered area in a ski-equipped airplane for a personal local flight. The pilot said that he took off to the south, but that the snow conditions caused more drag than expected. He said that the airplane cleared the first part of the trees at the end of the takeoff area, but that the wing stalled and the right wing dropped. The airplane then clipped the top of the trees and descended, coming to rest on its right side. The pilot reported no mechanical problems with the airplane, and that he had packed down the takeoff area with a snow machine prior to taking off. He also reported that he aborted a takeoff to the northeast just before the accident takeoff to the south. In a written statement, the pilot reported the maximum gross weight of the airplane as 2200 pounds and its weight at the time of the takeoff as 2600 pounds. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2989D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2989D-2017-06-15), registration cancelled 2017-06-15, S/N 26932, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B - Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 26932 - Airframe hours: 3486 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-300 SER 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Fox Brian - Registered owner: Fox Brian - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 3, 2008 - Departed: Dillingham, AK - Destination: Dillingham, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 23, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 243 total, 238 in this make and model, 167 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 12 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,500 ft broken - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 29.30 inHg - Observed at: PADL, 5 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 20090326046829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090326046829A), Mar 26, 2009: Cessna 170B, Dillingham, AK, Substantial damage. On March 26, 2009, about 1400 Alaska standard time, a ski-equipped Cessna 170B airplane, N2989D, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from a remote… ## Other investigations on N2989D (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 ANC96LA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA153), Sep 9, 1996: Cessna 170B (N2989D), Dillingham, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for taxiing. 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.