# NTSB ANC24LA078: Cessna 170B, N2524D, Healy, AK, August 15, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 15, 2024, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Healy, AK - Coordinates: 63.879528, -148.82625 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.8795&lon=-148.8262&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 194950 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC24LA078 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194950/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194950 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA078 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, in gusty wind conditions, resulting in a loss of control and a collision with trees. ## 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) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 74 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170B, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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: [Cessna 170B, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072306), [All aircraft, 1,127 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: [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) ## Analysis The pilot stated that during takeoff from an unimproved airstrip, in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, she encountered a gust of wind just as the tail lifted off the ground. The airplane veered left and impacted trees and came to rest amongst the vegetation. Both wings, horizontal stabilizer, and elevator sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions of failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2524D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2524D), registered now, S/N 20676, 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: 20676 - Year built: 1952 - Airframe hours: 2282 - Engines: Continental C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2024 - Destination: 9AK7, Big Lake, AK - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 17, 2022; seat: left; flight hours: 133 total, 23 in this make and model, 56 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 27 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: AIN, 9 nm away - METAR: PAIN 152256Z AUTO 18010G27KT 140V200 10SM FEW060 17/03 A3001 RMK AO2 PK WND 20027/2248 SLP171 T01670033 ## 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 20240815012709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240815012709A), Aug 15, 2024: Cessna 170B, Healy, AK, Substantial damage. The pilot was departing from an unimproved strip near the wood river in Alaska near Virginia creek. The weather was VFR with no ceilings and 10 miles… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 8, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194950. 12.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 12.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18021619&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 366 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18021563&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-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.