# NTSB ANC20CA039: Wag-Aero Sportsman 2+2, N5045X, Wasilla, AK, March 27, 2020

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 27, 2020, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Wasilla, AK
- Coordinates: 61.624168, -149.648605 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6242&lon=-149.6486&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: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 29, 2020
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 101129
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC20CA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101129/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101129
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA039

## Probable cause

The pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff from an icy ski strip in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in the left wing impacting a tree.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Selby George P SPORTSMAN 2+2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05691BW), [All aircraft, 3,969 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Selby George P SPORTSMAN 2+2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05691BW), [All aircraft, 9,308 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 operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Selby George P SPORTSMAN 2+2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=05691BW), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Selby George P SPORTSMAN 2+2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05691BW), [All aircraft, 1,201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Selby George P SPORTSMAN 2+2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05691BW), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Selby George P SPORTSMAN 2+2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05691BW), [All aircraft, 1,130 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Selby George P SPORTSMAN 2+2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05691BW), [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Selby George P SPORTSMAN 2+2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05691BW), [All aircraft, 1,428 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Selby George P SPORTSMAN 2+2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05691BW), [All aircraft, 3,656 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Selby George P SPORTSMAN 2+2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05691BW), [All aircraft, 10,152 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, during takeoff from an icy ski strip, there was a "light variable quartering tailwind from the south west." During the takeoff run, the ski- and tailwheel-equipped airplane veered left, and the pilot attempted to correct with opposite rudder. As the airplane became airborne, the left wing struck a tree, and the airplane "swung around" before coming to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during takeoff from an icy ski strip, there was a "light variable quartering tailwind from the south west." During the takeoff run, the ski and tailwheel-equipped airplane veered left and the pilot attempted to correct with opposite rudder. As the airplane became airborne, the left wing struck a tree, and the airplane was "swung around" before coming to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and empennage. An automated weather observation system located about 4 miles away from the accident airport reported, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 040° at 13 knots, gusting to 24 knots. The pilot was departing on runway 7.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5045X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5045X), registered now, S/N 42, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WAG-AERO Sportsman 2+2
- Registry model: [Selby George P SPORTSMAN 2+2](https://openairdocs.org/model/selby-george-p-sportsman-2-plus-2) (registry code 9570341) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 42
- Year built: 1987
- Airframe hours: 1069.6
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 2019
- Departed: 9AK6, Wasilla, AK
- Destination: Skwentna, AK
- Airport: 9AK6, Leisurewood Airstrip, runway 07, 1,800 × 75 ft, snow
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 7, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 980 total, 490 in this make and model, 880 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 13 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 3 °F
- Altimeter: 29.69 inHg
- Observed at: PAWS, 4 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 20200327003079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200327003079A), Mar 27, 2020: Selby George P SPORTSMAN 2+2, Wasilla, AK, Substantial damage. On March 27th,2020,N5045X operated by [privacy data omitted] lost directional control during takeoff. The left wing contacted trees along the north side of the…

## Other investigations on N5045X (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 ANC96LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA113), Aug 3, 1996: Sportsman 2+2 (N5045X), Wasilla, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane which resulted in an inadvertent stall/mush. A factor associated with the accident was the pilot's low altitude skidding maneuver.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 21, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101129. 582 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 405 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482774&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Picture (item 2, .PDF, 177 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40482775&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture-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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