# NTSB ANC95LA122: Grumman G-44, N17481, Kodiak, AK, August 1, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 31, 1995, 18:40 local (Aug 1, 1995, 02:40 UTC) - Place: Kodiak, AK - Coordinates: 57.789028, -152.400604 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.7890&lon=-152.4006&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 18, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2701 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA122 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2701/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA122 ## Probable cause OVERLOAD FAILURE OF THE MAIN LANDING GEAR WHEEL. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run - landing gear,wheel - fractured (cause) - landing gear,wheel - overload - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not possible, pilot in command - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis THE CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL PILOT AND A PASSENGER WERE DEPARTING A HARD SURFACED RUNWAY IN AN AMPHIBIOUS AIRPLANE FOR AN ON-DEMAND CHARTER FLIGHT. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE AIRPLANE LURCHED TO THE RIGHT. THE PILOT APPLIED THE LEFT BRAKE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WITHOUT ANY RESPONSE. HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF, BUT WAS UNABLE TO PREVENT THE AIRPLANE FROM GROUND LOOPING TO THE RIGHT. INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT THE LEFT WHEEL RIM WAS BROKEN NEAR THE HUB BOLT HOLES. A METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE WHEEL DID NOT REVEAL ANY EVIDENCE OF FATIGUE. ALL FRACTURE SURFACES EXHIBITED EVIDENCE OF OVERLOAD. ## Factual narrative On July 31, 1995, at 1840 Alaska daylight time, an amphibious Grumman G-44, N17481, crashed during takeoff at Kodiak airport, Kodiak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross- country on-demand passenger flight to Danger Bay, Alaska, under Title 14 CFR Part 135 when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by Peninsula Airways Inc., received substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot and the sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Company VFR flight following procedures were in effect. The operator reported that the pilot was departing on runway 07. During the takeoff run, the pilot noticed a loud noise and the airplane lurched to the right. To maintain directional control of the airplane, the pilot aborted the takeoff and attempted to apply the left brake without any response. The pilot was unable to prevent the airplane from ground looping to the right. The left wing float and tail wheel were damaged. The left wingtip contacted the runway and was bent upward. Inspection of the airplane revealed that the left wheel rim was broken near the bolt holes. The wheel rim was submitted to the National Transportation Safety Board's Materials Laboratory for examination. The examination did not reveal any evidence of fatigue. All fracture surfaces exhibited evidence of overload. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N17481](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N17481), registered now, S/N 1360, built 1944 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-44 - Registry model: [Grumman G-44](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-44) (registry code 3951502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-435](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-435) (registry code 41520, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1360 - Airframe hours: 13980 - Engines: LYCOMING GO-435-C2B2 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Peninsula Airways Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 28, 1995, 78 hours before - Departed: ADQ - Destination: DANGER BAY, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: ADQ, Kodiak, runway 7, 7,562 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 19,990 total, 11,198 in this make and model, 19,812 as pilot in command, 210 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 12 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 52 °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 19950731021079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950731021079A), Jul 31, 1995: Gulstm G44, Kodiak, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot reported ampibian lurched to right on takeoff. Aborted. Ground looped. Left wheel rim broken from overstress. 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.