# NTSB ANC87LA166: Cessna 170A, N9240A, Melozitna River, AK, September 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1987, 17:00 local (Sep 21, 1987, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Melozitna River, AK
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4927
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4927/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA166

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - sand bar (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF FROM A RIVER SANDBAR CLOSE TO THE WATER'S EDGE. DURING THE TAKE OFF ROLL, ONE MAIN LANDING GEAR TIRE ENTERED THE WATER AND PULLED THE AIRPLANE INTO THE WATER. THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY NOSED OVER AND INCURRED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9240A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9240A-2014-11-24), registration cancelled 2014-11-24, S/N 19001, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170A
- Registry model: [Cessna 170A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170a) (registry code 2072304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 19001
- Airframe hours: 2899
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Steven E. Scott
- Registered owner: Steven E Scott
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 6, 1987, 15 hours before
- Destination: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK
- Airport: Sandbar

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 350 total, 350 in this make and model, 55 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 37 °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 19870920059039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870920059039A), Sep 20, 1987: Cessna 170A, Melozitna River, AK, Substantial damage. The aircraft veered into the water and nosed over during takeoff from a gravel bar.

## Other investigations on N9240A (3)

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 OAK69D0012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK69D0012), May 26, 1968: Cessna 170 (N9240A), Morgan Hill, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK68D0262](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK68D0262), Dec 30, 1967: Cessna 170A (N9240A), Morgan Hill, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB OAK65F0011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK65F0011), Feb 7, 1965: Cessna 170 (N9240A), Soledad, CA, 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.

---
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.