# NTSB ANC96LA119: Aviat A-1, N54JK, King Salmon, AK, August 5, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1996, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: King Salmon, AK
- Coordinates: 58.750198, -156.539642 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.7502&lon=-156.5396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2875
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC96LA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2875/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA119

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate weather evaluation, inadequate compensation for the existing wind conditions, and failure to maintain directional control.  A factor associated with the accident was the gusty wind.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, descent - uncontrolled
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - aborted
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

The pilot said he was attempting to take off from a remote, off-airport landing site in gusty wind conditions.  He said a gust of wind 'stuffed' the airplane onto to the ground shortly after lift-off. He landed hard, and aborted the takeoff. The airplane subsequently ground looped and damaged the right wing and right main landing gear.

## Factual narrative

On August 5, 1996, about 1200 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Aviat Husky A-1 airplane, N54JK, sustained substantial damage during an attempted takeoff from an off airport site located approximately 23 miles southeast of King Salmon, Alaska. The commercial certificated pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions.

During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on August 8, the pilot said he was attempting to takeoff from tundra in gusty wind conditions. Soon after liftoff, he said a wind gust estimated at 20 knots "stuffed" the airplane hard onto the ground. He aborted the takeoff, and the airplane subsequently ground looped to the right, damaging a right wing rib and the right main landing gear.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54JK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54JK-2025-10-16), registration cancelled 2025-10-16, S/N 1253, 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: 1253
- Airframe hours: 441
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1P 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gary L. Cutsforth
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1996, 97 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,640 total, 314 in this make and model, 2,570 as pilot in command, 330 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °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 19960805025989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960805025989A), Aug 5, 1996: Chris A1, King Salmon, AK, Substantial damage. Tried depart tundra in gusty wind after liftoff downdraft caused ground impact. Aborted. Ground looped.

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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