# NTSB ANC16CA009: Cessna 172, N7176A, Manley Hot Springs, AK, November 27, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 27, 2015, 11:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Manley Hot Springs, AK - Coordinates: 64.400001, -151.410003 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.4000&lon=-151.4100&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 3, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 92383 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC16CA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92383/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92383 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC16CA009 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to depart from an unsuitable, off-airport site, which resulted in a collision with a tree. ## 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 172, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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 172, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/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 on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that prior to departing in a ski-equipped airplane, from a remote frozen, snow covered lake; he prepared the off-airport site by packing down the loose snow. During his takeoff roll, the left ski slid off the prepared surface, and encountered loose snow and water overflow which pulled the airplane hard to the left. The left wing struck a tree, substantially damaging the left wing. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot stated that the accident may have been avoided if he had prepared a wider takeoff area. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that prior to departing in a ski-equipped airplane, from a remote frozen, snow covered lake; he prepared the off-airport site by packing down the loose snow. During his takeoff roll, the left ski slid off the prepared surface, and encountered loose snow and water overflow which pulled the airplane hard to the left. The left wing struck a tree, substantially damaging the left wing. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7176A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7176A), registered now, S/N 29276 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 29276 - Year built: 1956 - Airframe hours: 3865 - Engines: LYCOMING IO360 SER 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Tousignant John R - Registered owner: Tousignant John R - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Manley Hot Springs, AK - Destination: Fairbanks, AK - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 10, 2014; seat: left; flight hours: 4,400 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20151127022319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151127022319A), Nov 27, 2015: Cessna 172, Manley Hotsprin, AK, Substantial damage. Airman attempted to take off on a groomed area of a frozen lake after walking the runway. While on the initial portion of the roll out, airman encountered an… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 6, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92383. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438554&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. --- 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.