# NTSB ANC84LA058: Fairchild C-119, N15509, Venetie, AK, April 21, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 21, 1984, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Venetie, AK
- Coordinates: 66.99932, -146.369491 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=66.9993&lon=-146.3695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4283
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC84LA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4283/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA058

## 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 - roll/run
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - icy (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not possible
- Nose over, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING A TAKEOFF ON AN AIRSTRIP WHERE BRAKING ACTION WAS CONSIDERED GOOD DURING THE NORMAL SUMMER SEASON. IT WAS ABOUT 3000 FT IN ELEVATION & WAS SNOW COVERED MOST OF THE YEAR, AS ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. THE STRIP ACCOMODATED TAKEOFFS TO THE SOUTH ONLY DUE TO GRADING AND OBSTRUCTIONS. FREQUENTLY, THIS MENT A DOWNWIND TAKEOFF. ON THEDAY OF THE ACCIDENT, THERE WAS A 5 KT WIND FROM THE NORTH WITH GUSTS TO 10 KTS. THE PLT SAID THAT NOSE WHEEL STEERING WAS NOT EFFECTIVE DUE TO THE SURFACE AND THE RUDDER WAS NOT RESPONSIVE DUE TO THE TAILWIND. MOST PLTS USED A 25 DEG (RIGHT TURN) DOGLEG OF THE RWY AT THE NORTH END TO START THEIR TAKEOFF, ESPECIALLY WHEN TAILWINDS WERE PRESENT. THE ACCIDENT ACFT WENT OFF THE RWY TO THE LEFT AND COLLIDED WITH A SNOWBANK WHERE IT NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N15509 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: FAIRCHILD C-119
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 10775
- Airframe hours: 8643
- Engines: WRIGHT R-3350-89-B 3500 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Supra Intnl Inc
- Registered owner: T & G Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 1984
- Destination: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK
- Airport: Tobin Creek, runway 17, 4,000 × 120 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 15,060 total, 3,503 in this make and model, 14,915 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F

## 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 19840421045909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840421045909A), Apr 21, 1984: Frchld C119, Tobin Creek, AK, Substantial damage. Left wheel struck a snow berm on takeoff and pulled aircraft into a snowbank. Steering degraded by wind and gravel.

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.