- Date
- April 4, 2009, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place
- Skwentna, AK
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N2997MPiper PA-12
- Defining event
- Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report July 28, 2009
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Alaska Regional Office
- Parties
- Federal Aviation Administration (Airworthiness)
- Case key
- 73613
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing/takeoff area with an unfavorable wind.
Findings · 4
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The private pilot reported that before landing on the frozen snow-covered lake in a ski-equipped airplane, he intended to do a touch-and-go landing to check the snow conditions. He said that variable and gusty north-northwesterly winds required him to depart into an area of rising, tree-covered terrain. After landing to the northwest, he added full engine power and the airplane became airborne, but would not climb fast enough to outclimb the rising terrain. In the pilot's written statement to the NTSB, he stated that he: "Failed to fully recognize situation in time to abort departure..." The pilot indicated that the airplane collided with tree-covered terrain at the departure end of the lake. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.
Factual narrative
The private pilot reported that before landing on the frozen snow-covered lake in a ski-equipped airplane, he intended to do a touch-and-go landing to check the snow conditions. He said that variable and gusty north-northwesterly winds required him to depart into an area of rising, tree-covered terrain. After landing to the northwest, he added full engine power, and the airplane became airborne, but would not climb fast enough to out climb the rising terrain. In the pilot's written statement to the NTSB he stated, in part: "Failed to fully recognize situation in time to abort departure..." The pilot indicated that the airplane collided with tree-covered terrain at the departure end of the lake. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N2997M
- Reported as
- Piper PA-12
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 12-1472
- Airframe hours
- 3,185
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320 SERIES, 160 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Wiita Chris D
- Registered owner
- Wiita Chris D
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · February 5, 2009
- Departed
- PAMR · Anchorage, AK
- Destination
- Skwentna, AK
- Airport
- runway 32, snow
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 46
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- May 22, 2007
- Seat
- Front
- Flight hours
- 933 total · 823 in this make and model · 859 as pilot in command · 6 in the last 90 days · 2 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Variable at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 36 °F, dew point 25 °F
Other investigations on N2997M · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.