# NTSB ANC14CA067: Cessna 175, N7119M, Talkeetna, AK, August 23, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 23, 2014, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Talkeetna, AK - Coordinates: 62.527778, -149.91806 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.5278&lon=-149.9181&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 11, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA / AVP-100 - NTSB case key (mKey): 89946 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC14CA067 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89946/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89946 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14CA067 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area, resulting in a loss of control and subsequent inflight collision with terrain during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to use the checklist, resulting in an improper propeller pitch setting for takeoff, and the pilot's inadvertent partial application of the wheel brakes during the takeoff roll. ## 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 175, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 175, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 175, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 175, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 175, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 175, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 175, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was departing, uphill, from a rough and uneven, tundra-covered off-airport site, which required a correction for a variable 10 knot left crosswind. The site was situated atop a mountain ridgeline. The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll the airplane hit a series of bumps and ruts, and it became airborne prematurely. He added that as the airplane continued to bounce, he braced himself against the rudder pedals, and he inadvertently depressed the brakes. When the airplane settled to the ground and the wheels touched down, the airplane slowed. In an effort to avoid rising terrain ahead, and in an attempt to gain airspeed, the pilot turned the airplane to the left and downslope. The airplane continued to descend and it subsequently collided with brush-covered terrain, sustaining substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot also noted that he failed to use the predeparture checklist, and a postaccident inspection revealed that the propeller pitch control was found to be in a cruise power setting. ## Factual narrative The pilot was departing, uphill, from a rough and uneven, tundra-covered off-airport site, which required a correction for a variable 10 knot left crosswind. The site was situated atop a mountain ridgeline. The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll the airplane hit a series of bumps and ruts, and it became airborne prematurely. He added that as the airplane continued to bounce, he braced himself against the rudder pedals, and he inadvertently depressed the brakes. When the airplane settled to the ground and the wheels touched down, the airplane slowed. In an effort to avoid rising terrain ahead, and in an attempt to gain airspeed, the pilot turned the airplane to the left and downslope. The airplane continued to descend and it subsequently collided with brush-covered terrain, sustaining substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot also noted that he failed to use the predeparture checklist, and a postaccident inspection revealed that the propeller pitch control was found to be in a cruise power setting. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7119M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7119M), registered now, S/N 55419, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 175 - Registry model: [Cessna 175](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (registry code 2072502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 55419 - Year built: 1958 - Airframe hours: 2295 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 28, 2014 - Departed: None, Talkeetna, AK - Destination: BCV, Birchwood, AK - Airport: None, Ridgeline, runway 40, 1,000 × 50 ft, gravel - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Handheld GPS, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 26, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 741 total, 216 in this make and model, 692 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: ATK, 15 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 20140823014779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140823014779A), Aug 23, 2014: Cessna 175, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. Inspectors interviewed pilot on August 27. Pilotstated that he was friends with the owner of the Unimproved airport where the accident occurred, and that he… ## Other investigations on N7119M (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 CHI71FLQ30](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI71FLQ30), Jun 3, 1971: Cessna 175 (N7119M), Junction City, KY, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 27, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89946. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421715&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Satellite Images of Accident Area (item 2, .PDF, 583 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421716&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Satellite%20Images%20of%20Accident%20Area-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Left Front Side of Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of Aircraft Owner) (item 3, .PDF, 138 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421717&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Left%20Front%20Side%20of%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Aircraft%20Owner)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Left Rear Side of Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of Aircraft Owner) (item 4, .PDF, 122 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40421718&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Left%20Rear%20Side%20of%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Aircraft%20Owner)-Master.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.