# NTSB ANC10CA063: Cessna 172P, N63022, New Stuyahok, AK, July 18, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 17, 2010, 19:15 local (Jul 18, 2010, 03:15 UTC) - Place: New Stuyahok, AK - Coordinates: 59.888332, -156.521392 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.8883&lon=-156.5214&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA FSDO-03 - NTSB case key (mKey): 76685 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC10CA063 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76685/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76685 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10CA063 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, resulting in a collision with trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot was departing from an off-airport site on a cross-country flight. According to the pilot, during the takeoff roll the airplane encountered a soft spot, which delayed the airplane's liftoff. He said that, following the delayed liftoff, he was unable to avoid trees near the departure end of the runway and that the right wing struck a tree before the airplane spun to the ground. The pilot reported that there were no known mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. ## Factual narrative The private pilot was departing from an off-airport site on a personal cross-country flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91. The pilot said during the takeoff roll the airplane encountered a soft spot, which delayed the airplane's liftoff. He said following the delayed liftoff, he was unable to avoid trees near the departure end of the runway. He said the right wing struck a tree, and the airplane spun to the ground. The pilot said there were no known mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N63022](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N63022-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 17275382, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17275382 - Airframe hours: 20967 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Brian Geerdes - Registered owner: Flight Safety Alaska Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 9, 2010 - Departed: New Stuyahok, AK - Destination: Mulchatna River, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 11, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 490 total, 268 in this make and model, 397 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 46 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F - Observed at: PAEN, 60 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 20100717040559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100717040559A), Jul 17, 2010: Cessna 172P, Port Alsworth, AK, Substantial damage. The PIC on his takeoff roll encountered a soft spot on the runway. This retarded his takeoff speed and already passing his no go point the PIC elected to… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 8, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76685. 926 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 926 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40335961&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.