# NTSB ANC82DAG18: Cessna 170, N170DM, Big Lake, AK, April 25, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: April 25, 1982, 12:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Big Lake, AK
- Location: 61.5450° N, 149.8180° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Big Lake, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5450&lon=-149.8180&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69945
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC82DAG18
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69945/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DAG18

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL FLIGHT, THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND AT THE BIG LAKE AIRPORT. BEFORE LANDING, HE NOTED THAT WEATHER WAS MOVING IN FROM THE NORTHWEST. ALSO, HE NOTED THAT THE WIND SOCK WAS LIMP, BUT FAVORED A LANDING TO THE WEST. HE LANDED, AND BEFORE TAKING OFF AGAIN, HE NOTED HE WIND SOCK HAD NOT MOVED. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, HE ENCOUNTERED A WING DROP AND VEER TO THE RIGHT, BUT CORRECTED THE SITUATION AND CONTINUED. REPORTEDLY, HE LIFTED OFF AT ABOUT 60 MPH AND LOWERED THE NOSE TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE RIGHT WING DROPPED ABRUPTLY AND THE PLANE VEERED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT. HE STATED THAT HE HAD EXTREME DIFFICULTY CORRECTING, BUT FINALLY BROUGHT THE AIRCRAFT STRAIGHT. HOWEVER, THE AIRSPEED REMAINED AT ABOUT 60 KNOTS AND THE PLANE WOULD NOT CLIMB OUT OF GROUND EFFECT. HE ABORTED AND THE PLANE ANDTHE PLANE CONTINUED OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY, CROSSED A ROAD, AND HIT A DITCH. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE WIND SHIFTED TO A QUARTERING TAILWIND. THE PASSENGER A SMALL CHILD, WAS SECURED ON THE PILOT'S LAP WITH THE SAME BELT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N170DM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N170DM-2012-08-10), registration cancelled 2012-08-10, S/N 20055, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170
- Registry model: [Cessna 170A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170a) (registry code 2072304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20055
- Airframe hours: 2142
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Nathan Asher
- Registered owner: Nathan Asher
- Departed: ANCHORAGE, AK
- Destination: ANCHORAGE, AK
- Airport: Big Lake, runway 24, 2,800 × 70 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 163 total, 12 in this make and model, 108 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles

## 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 19820425010919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820425010919A), Apr 25, 1982: Cessna 170A, Big Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Unable to leave ground effect on takeoff. Aborted, ran into a ditch off end of runway. Unexpected tailwind.

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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