# NTSB ANC15LA008: Cessna 170B, N2580D, Anchorage, AK, January 21, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 21, 2015, 11:42 local (20:42 UTC) - Place: Anchorage, AK - Coordinates: 61.184444, -149.963607 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1844&lon=-149.9636&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 13, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 90634 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC15LA008 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90634/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90634 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15LA008 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause) ## Analysis The pilot stated that, during the takeoff roll, after he released the brakes and applied full power, the airplane began to veer left. The pilot applied right rudder and right brake in an effort to correct the veer, but the airplane continued to veer left. The airplane then struck a runway edge light and departed the runway into the snow-covered median between the runway and an adjacent taxiway, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. A postaccident examination revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical anomalies. ## Factual narrative On January 21, 2015 at 1142 Alaska standard time, a tailwheel-equipped, Cessna 170B airplane, N2580D, sustained substantial damage following a loss of control during takeoff from Lake Hood Seaplane Base (Z41), Anchorage, Alaska. The private pilot and three passengers were not injured. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan had been filed. During an interview with an investigator from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on January 21, 2015, the pilot stated that during the takeoff roll, after the brakes were released and full power was applied, the airplane began to veer to the left. The pilot applied right rudder and right brake in an effort to correct for the veer, but the airplane continued to the left, struck a runway edge light, and departed the runway into the snow covered median between the runway and an adjacent taxiway, sustaining substantial damage to the right wing. A post accident examination of the airplane by the NTSB, along with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspector from the Anchorage Flight Standards District Office revealed no mechanical irregularities that would have precluded normal operation. A post-accident weight and balance was accomplished by the NTSB using fuel load, passenger weights and seating location provided by the pilot. The aircraft was found to be about 82 pounds over the approved maximum gross weight of 2,200 pounds. The estimated center of gravity at the time of the accident was positive 43.53 inches. The center of gravity range at 2,200 pounds (maximum gross weight) is positive 40.8 inches to positive 46.4 inches. The closest weather reporting facility is Anchorage International Airport, Anchorage Alaska, less than one mile from the accident site. At 1153, an aviation routine weather report (METAR) from the Anchorage Airport was reporting in part: wind from 120 degrees at 8 knots; sky condition, clear; visibility, 10 statute miles; temperature 12 degrees F; dew point 9 degrees F; altimeter 29.34inHG. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2580D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2580D), registered now, S/N 20732, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B - Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20732 - Year built: 1952 - Airframe hours: 7285 - Engines: Lycoming O360 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 17, 2014 - Departed: LHD, Anchorage, AK - Destination: LHD, Anchorage, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: LHD, Lake Hood, runway 32, 2,200 × 75 ft, gravel - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 19, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 307.6 total, 207.8 in this make and model, 230.6 as pilot in command, 18.5 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 12 °F, dew point 9 °F - Altimeter: 29.34 inHg - Observed at: ANC, 1 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 20150121000429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150121000429A), Jan 21, 2015: Cessna 170B, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot obtained weather briefing and filed flight plan with kenai fss at 0910 hrs. Requested and obtained clearance for takeoff from lhd runway 32 at 1135 hrs.… ## Other investigations on N2580D (3) 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 WPR12CA269](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA269), Jun 19, 2012: Cessna 170B (N2580D), Pullman, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while landing in gusting crosswind conditions and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action. - [NTSB ANC69D0034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC69D0034), Sep 14, 1968: Cessna 170B (N2580D), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB UNK64X1573](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X1573), May 2, 1964: Cessna 170B (N2580D), Wheeling, WV, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 27, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90634. 743 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 689 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425636&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot Interview (item 2, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40425638&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot%20Interview-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.