# NTSB ANC85LA055: Cessna 170B, N2859C, Circle, AK, March 13, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 12, 1985, 22:45 local (Mar 13, 1985, 02:45 UTC)
- Place: Circle, AK
- Coordinates: 65.79087, -144.199981 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=65.7909&lon=-144.2000&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): 4471
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4471/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA055

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - unavailable (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - inadvertent
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT TOOK OFF AT NIGHT FROM A SNOW COVERED RWY WITH NO RWY LIGHTS. HE REPORTED THAT AFTER THE ACFT LIFTED OFF, HE LOST VISUAL REFERENCES DUE TO THE DARKNESS. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE ACFT SETTLED INTO ALDERS, WILLOW BRUSH & DEEP SNOW & WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED BEFORE COMING TO REST. REPORTEDLY, THERE WERE NO LIGHTS OR VISUAL REFERENCES BEYOND THE END OF THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2859C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2859C), registered now, S/N 26402, 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: 26402
- Airframe hours: 1240
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Glenn P. Walston
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CRC
- Destination: CHP, CIRCLE HOT SPRG, AK
- Airport: CRC, Circle City, runway 33, 2,700 × 100 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 640 total, 30 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 25 °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 19850312008799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850312008799A), Mar 12, 1985: Cessna 170B, Circle, AK, Substantial damage. Aborted takeoff after loosing visual reference at night. Black hole phenomena existed on takeoff runway.

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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