ANC96LA064

NTSB accident investigation · Aviat A-1 · Togiak, AK · May 2, 1996

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
May 2, 1996, 08:30 local (16:30 UTC)
Place
Togiak, AK
Injuries
2 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Takeoff
Aircraft
N93HUAviat A-1
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report February 1, 1997
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
Alaska Regional Office
FAA report
19960502011929A
Case key
2835

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot's failure to remove frost from the surface of the wings and his delay in aborting the takeoff. Factors in the accident were the presence of frost on the wings and a deteriorated climb performance.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

In flight collision with terrain/waterTakeoff - aborted
Terrain condition - water
Wing - frostFactor
Ice/frost removal from aircraft - not performedPilot in commandCause
Aircraft performance,climb capability - deterioratedFactor
Aborted takeoff - delayedPilot in commandCause
Nose downTakeoff - aborted

Analysis

The certificated commercial pilot was conducting flight operations in support of fish spotting activities and was departing a remote beach at gross weight. The pilot reported that frost was present on the wings of the airplane and he began a short field takeoff. The airplane lifted off sluggishly and then began to settle toward the ground that was sloping toward the ocean. At full power, the airplane touched down momentarily and then climbed into the air. The airplane skipped off the water about three times and the pilot aborted the takeoff. The airplane settled into the water and stopped in a nose down attitude.

Factual narrative

On May 2, 1996, about 0830 Alaska daylight time, an Aviat Inc., A-1, Christian Husky, N93HU, crashed during takeoff from a remote beach area, about 4 miles southwest of Togiak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) business flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

A Federal Aviation Administration inspector, Anchorage Flight Standards District Office, reported that the airplane was being operated in support of fish spotting activities near the Quigmy River. In the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Report submitted by the pilot, he indicated that he was departing at gross weight. The pilot reported that frost was present on the wings of the airplane as he began a short field takeoff. The airplane lifted off sluggishly and then began to settle toward ground that was sloping toward the ocean. At full power, the airplane touched down momentarily and then climbed into the air. The airplane skipped off the water about three times and the pilot aborted the takeoff. The airplane settled into the water and stopped in a nose down attitude.

Aircraft

Registration
N93HU
Reported as
Aviat A-1
Category
Airplane
Serial number
1249
Airframe hours
248
Engine
Lycoming O-360-A1P, 180 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Business · Part 91
Registered owner
Daniel E. Regan Jr.
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
43
Certificate
Commercial
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land, Single-engine sea
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 2, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Front
Flight hours
940 total · 325 in this make and model · 870 as pilot in command · 15 in the last 90 days · 15 in the last 30 days · 4 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
270° at 10 knots
Visibility
90 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.

Other investigations on N93HU · 1

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.