# NTSB ANC14CA083: Cessna 175, N6589E, Ambler, AK, September 16, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 16, 2014, 10:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Ambler, AK
- Coordinates: 66.897499, -158.573883 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=66.8975&lon=-158.5739&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: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 5, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90088
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC14CA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90088/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90088
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14CA083

## Probable cause

The pilot's decision to takeoff from a rough airstrip in gusty wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of control.

## 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)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 175, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 175, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 175, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 175, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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)
- [Uncontrolled descent: 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 from a remote off-airport site in a tailwheel-equipped airplane. The pilot reported that just after takeoff, as the airplane remained in ground effect, a crosswind pushed the airplane over the edge of a hill where the wind direction changed, and it subsequently settled back to the ground and collided with terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left and right wings, horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot was departing from a remote off-airport site in a tailwheel-equipped airplane. The pilot reported that just after takeoff, as the airplane remained in ground effect, a crosswind pushed the airplane over the edge of a hill where the wind direction changed, and it subsequently settled back to the ground and collided with terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left and right wings, horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6589E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6589E-2018-08-14), registration cancelled 2018-08-14, S/N 56081, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 175 (UNDESIGNAT)
- Registry model: [Cessna 175](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (registry code 2072502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 56081
- Year built: 1959
- Airframe hours: 1821
- Engines: CONT MOTOR GO-300 SERIES 175 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 7, 2013
- Departed: Ambler, AK
- Destination: OTZ, KOTZEBUE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 2, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 340 total, 36 in this make and model, 255 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 33.2 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.59 inHg
- Observed at: PAFM, 21 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 20140916021259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140916021259A), Sep 16, 2014: Cessna 175, Ambler, AK, Substantial damage. The pilot in command was taking off from an off airport strip. During rotation approximately 50 mph, the aircraft bounced into the air in ground effect.…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 24, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90088. 652 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 652 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419387&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.

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