# NTSB ANC20CA094: Cessna 170, N3068A, Kiana, AK, September 13, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 13, 2020, 13:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Kiana, AK - Coordinates: 67.046112, -160.49555 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.0461&lon=-160.4956&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: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration CMO - NTSB case key (mKey): 101974 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC20CA094 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101974/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101974 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20CA094 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper decision to perform a takeoff from an unsuitable surface, which resulted in a loss of control and nose over. ## 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); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 91 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that before landing at the remote, gravel-covered site, he intended to momentarily touchdown to determine the landing surface suitability, a maneuver commonly known as dragging the landing site. He said that after touchdown the main landing gear wheels encountered an area of rough and water covered-terrain, which slowed the airplane’s ground roll, so he applied takeoff power to go-around. The pilot said that the airplane became airborne, but it remained in ground effect, and he was unable to climb. The airplane subsequently settled back onto the site, and the right main wheel touched down atop a shallow stream that was situated next to the remote site. After touchdown, the airplane veered to the right and nosed over. The right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3068A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3068A), registered now, S/N 25712 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 170 (B) - 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: 25712 - Year built: 1953 - Airframe hours: 5712 - Engines: Continental C145-2H reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 3, 2019, 75 hours before - Destination: PAIK, Kiana, AK - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 15, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 600 total, 90 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 5 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 41 °F - Observed at: PAIK, 18 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 20200913012449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200913012449A), Sep 13, 2020: Cessna 170B, Kiana, AK, Substantial damage. Cessna 170 N3068A pilot stated that the airplane experienced a loss of power during a climb out after dragging a gravel bar about 1.5 NM nw Kiana Airport. The… ## Other investigations on N3068A (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 OAK73DVD20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK73DVD20), Oct 28, 1972: Cessna 170B (N3068A), Hayward, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 20, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101974. 6.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 4.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11594307&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Master%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photographs (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11594838&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC20CA094%20Photo%20Template%202-Rel.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.