# NTSB ANC83FA119: Curtiss C-46A, N92853, Bettles, AK, July 10, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1983, 13:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Bettles, AK
- Coordinates: 67.239891, -152.270812 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.2399&lon=-152.2708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4036
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83FA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4036/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83FA119

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - uphill
  - landing gear,tire - penetrated
  - maintenance,recordkeeping - not maintained
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

JUST AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE ACFT ROLLED OVER A FROST HEAVE ON THE RWY SURFACE AND BEGAN VEERING TO THE RIGHT. THE PLT APPLIED LEFT BRAKE AND ADDED PWR TO THE RIGHT ENG BUT THE ACFT CONTINUED GOING RIGHT UNTIL THE RIGHT WING STRUCK A HILL ADJACENT TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY. THE ACFT CAME TO REST IN A DITCH 110 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT OF THE LNDG RWY HEADING. EXAMINATION OF THE RIGHT MAIN LNDG GEAR TIRE REVEALED A LARGE JAGGED OPENING IN THE SIDEWALL WHICH EXTENDED INTO THE TREAD AREA OF THE TIRE. THIS OPENING MATCHED ONE OF THE SIDES OF A ROCK FOUND IN THE VICINITY OF THE FROST HEAVE. THE ACFT MAINTENANCE LOGBOOKS WERE REVIEWED AND FOUND TO HAVE NO RECORD OF COMPLIANCE WITH AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N92853](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N92853-2006-05-17), registration cancelled 2006-05-17, S/N 30565, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CURTISS C-46A
- Registry model: [Curtiss Wright C-46A](https://openairdocs.org/model/curtiss-wright-c-46a) (registry code 2622602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-2800 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-2800-series) (registry code 52026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30565
- Airframe hours: 14925
- Engines: P&W R-28005-E 2700 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91 subpart F
- Operator: Nenana Fuel Co., doing business as P.O. Box 268
- Registered owner: Clifford R. Everts
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: AAIP, June 22, 1983, 55 hours before
- Departed: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK
- Destination: TOBIN CREEK, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: Tobin Creek, runway 34, 4,500 × 200 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 18,010 total, 6,000 in this make and model, 18,010 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19830710030209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830710030209A), Jul 10, 1983: Curtis C46ACURTIS, Tobin Creek, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft wheels hit heave up in runway causing blowout and subsequent crash.

## Other investigations on N92853 (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 ANC68A0025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC68A0025), Oct 13, 1967: Curtiss-Wrt C-46A (N92853), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage

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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