# NTSB ANC84LA139: Cessna 170B, N2779C, Barter Island, AK, August 16, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1984, 05:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Barter Island, AK
- Coordinates: 65.38977, -148.329086 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=65.3898&lon=-148.3291&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4340
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC84LA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4340/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA139

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - performance data - not understood, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PLT LANDED ON A GRAVEL BAR IN WILDERNESS FOR HUNTING. TWO DAYS LATER, ESTIMATING ABOUT 1400 FT OF USABLE SURFACE WAS AVAILABLE FOR TAKEOFF, HE ELECTED TO TAKEOFF UPHILL TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A SLIGHT HEADWIND CONDITION IN THAT DIRECTION. THE SURFACE OF LOOSE SAND AND GRAVEL VARIED IN SOFTNESS. THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE IN GROUND EFFECT AS THE END OF USABLE SURFACE WAS REACHED BUT A WIND SHIFT AT THAT POINT PRECLUDED CLIMB AWAY FROM RISING TERRAIN. ACFT COLLIDED WITH A (RIVER) CUT BANK. CALCULATIONS SHOW A MINIMUM OF 1580 FT REQUIRED FOR THIS ACFT/LOAD/SITUATION TO EFFECT SAFE TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2779C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2779C-1989-06-30), registration cancelled 1989-06-30, S/N 26323, built 1954 (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: 26323
- Airframe hours: 2700
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mark William Tuter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: HULAHULA RIVER, AK
- Destination: BTT, BETTLES, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 190 total, 190 in this make and model, 148 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 36 °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 19840816040849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840816040849A), Aug 16, 1984: Cessna 170B, Barter Island, AK, Substantial damage. Takeoff on 1400 feet gravel bar. Charts say 1580 feet needed. Airborne in ground effect, settled, hit a cut bank.

## Other investigations on N2779C (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 ANC69D0094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC69D0094), Nov 25, 1968: Cessna 170 (N2779C), Pedro Bay, 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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