# NTSB ANC87LA158: Cessna 207, N1786U, Two Lakes, AK, September 17, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 17, 1987, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Two Lakes, AK
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4920
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4920/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA158

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THE GRAVEL AIRSTRIP WAS MUDDY AND HE LIFTED OFF AT THE END OF THE STRIP. THE AIRCRAFT CLIPPED A TREE WITH THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER AND THE AIRPLANE SETTLED INTO THE TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1786U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1786U-2014-09-10), registration cancelled 2014-09-10, S/N 20700386 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 207
- Registry model: [Cessna 207A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-207a) (registry code 2073604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20700396
- Airframe hours: 8396
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Robert Bixlefeld
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 23, 1987, 84 hours before
- Departed: ENA, KENAI, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 28,000 total, 10,000 in this make and model, 27,500 as pilot in command, 165 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19870917069949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870917069949A), Sep 17, 1987: Cessna 207A, Two Lakes, AK, Substantial damage. The horizontal stabilizer hit a tree on takeoff. Liftoff from the muddy strip was longer than the pilot anticipated

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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