ANC20CA032

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 172 · Big Lake, AK · March 10, 2020

Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
March 9, 2020, 20:30 local (Mar 10, 2020, 04:30 UTC)
Place
Big Lake, AK
Injuries
2 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Takeoff
Aircraft
N52168Cessna 172
Defining event
Takeoff: Loss of control on ground
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Night
Status
Completed · report June 29, 2020
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
Alaska Regional Office
FAA report
20200309005259A
Case key
101070

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot's improper decision to initiate the takeoff roll from a snow-covered taxiway, which resulted in a loss of directional control, runway excursion, and impact with a snow berm.

Findings · 6

NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.

Use of equip/info: aircraft controlPersonnel issues › Task performance · PilotCessna 172N: 150 casesAll aircraft: 9,295 casesProbable cause
Performance/control parameters: directional controlAircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintainedCessna 172N: 82 casesAll aircraft: 3,958 casesProbable cause
Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surfaceEnvironmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to conditionCessna 172N: 7 casesAll aircraft: 219 casesProbable cause
Object/animal/substance: snow/iceEnvironmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operationCessna 172N: 4 casesAll aircraft: 67 casesProbable cause

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.

Analysis

The pilot reported that he was attempting to take off from a snow-covered runway and that, during the first attempt, the airplane failed to generate enough airspeed, so he aborted the takeoff and exited the runway. On his second attempt, he chose to begin the takeoff roll with a high-speed taxi on a taxiway before turning 90° to enter the runway. Just before entering the runway, the airplane hit a dip in the taxiway, and the airplane veered left and impacted a snow berm, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported several ways that the accident could have been prevented, including parking the airplane and waiting for a snowplow to clear the runway. In addition, he indicated that he was fatigued and that his judgment and decision-making abilities were compromised.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he was attempting to depart a snow-covered runway in a wheel-equipped airplane. On his first attempt the airplane failed to generate enough airspeed, so he aborted the takeoff and exited the runway. On his second attempt, he elected to start the takeoff roll on a taxiway via a 90 degree turn to enter the runway. Just before entering the runway he encountered uneven terrain, and the airplane veered to the left and impacted a snow berm sustaining substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations. In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot listed several ways that the accident could have been prevented which included parking the airplane and waiting for a snow plow to clear the runway. In addition, he indicated that he was fatigued and his judgment and decision making abilities were compromised.

Aircraft

Registration
N52168
Reported as
Cessna 172 (N)
Category
Airplane
Serial number
17273457
Built
1979
Engine
Lycoming O-320-D2J, 160 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Instructional · Part 91
Operator
Flight Safety Alaska Inc
Registered owner
Flight Safety Alaska Inc
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Departed
BGQ · Big Lake, AK
Destination
MRI · Anchorage, AK
Airport
BGQ · Big Lake, runway 07, 2,450 × 70 ft, gravel
Equipment
Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
43
Injuries
None
Certificates
Commercial, Airline transport, Flight instructor
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land, Single-engine sea, Multi-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 2, Without waivers/limitations
Last flight review
December 8, 2019
Seat
Right
Restraint
3-point
Flight hours
2,796 total · 1,500 in this make and model · 2,689 as pilot in command · 100 in the last 90 days · 25 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Night
Wind
260° at 6 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
6,500 ft broken
Temperature
23 °F, dew point 19 °F
Observed at
PAYS, 8 nm away

Docket · 2

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 15, 2020, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 3.7 MB in all.

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.