# NTSB ANC96LA064: Aviat A-1, N93HU, Togiak, AK, May 2, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 2, 1996, 08:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Togiak, AK - Coordinates: 59.210617, -160.540939 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.2106&lon=-160.5409&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 1, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2835 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA064 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2835/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA064 ## 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - water - wing - frost (contributing factor) - ice/frost removal from aircraft - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft performance,climb capability - deteriorated (contributing factor) - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - Nose down, takeoff - 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](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N93HU), registered now, S/N 1249, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AVIAT A-1 - Registry model: [Aviat A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-a-1) (registry code 2210302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1249 - Airframe hours: 248 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1P 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Daniel E. Regan Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19960502011929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960502011929A), May 2, 1996: Chris A1, Togiak, AK, Substantial damage. Fish spotting flight tried depart a beach with frost on wings. Settled into water off shore. Nosed down. ## Other investigations on N93HU (1) 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 CEN12CA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA044), Oct 20, 2011: Aviat A-1 (N93HU), Wolverton, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadvertent excessive braking during the landing roll due to momentary pain. 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.