# NTSB ANC97LA032: Cessna 170A, N1364D, Willow, AK, March 8, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 8, 1997, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Willow, AK - Coordinates: 61.890312, -149.730422 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.8903&lon=-149.7304&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2969 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA032 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2969/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA032 ## Probable cause The pilot's excessive speed while taxiing. A factor in the accident was flat light conditions. ## Analysis The pilot and passenger were departing a frozen lake in the ski-equipped airplane. The pilot reported he was taxiing at an excessive speed. Due to flat lighting conditions, the pilot did not see a frozen snow berm. The right landing gear ski crested the berm and then struck a second snow berm. The right main landing gear was torn from the airplane fuselage. ## Factual narrative On March 8, 1997, about 1545 Alaska standard time, a ski equipped Cessna 170A, N1364D, crashed while taxiing for takeoff from a frozen lake about 17 miles west of Willow, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight 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. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS), Kenai, Alaska, received notification of the accident from the pilot. The pilot indicated the airplane received damage to the landing gear and landing gearbox. In the pilot/operator report (NTSB form 6120.1/2) submitted by the pilot, he indicated he was taxiing to takeoff at an excessive speed. Due to flat lighting conditions, the pilot did not see a frozen snow berm. The right landing gear ski crested the berm and then struck a second snow berm. The right main landing gear was torn from the airplane fuselage. The closest official weather observation station is Wasilla, Alaska, which is located 17 nautical miles east of the accident site. On March 8, 1997, at 1553, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) was reporting in part: Wind, 060 degrees (true) at 3 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds, 2,700 feet scattered, 4,200 feet broken, 5,000 feet overcast; temperature, 30 degrees F; dew point, 19 degrees F; altimeter, 29.61 inHg. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - to takeoff - terrain condition - berm - light condition - other (contributing factor) - taxispeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause) - Gear collapsed, taxi - to takeoff - landing gear,main gear strut - overload ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1364D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1364D), registered now, S/N 19940, built 1951 (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: 19940 - Airframe hours: 2054 - Engines: Continental C145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Paul M. Spiro - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1997, 5 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 335 total, 289 in this make and model, 252 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,200 ft broken - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PAW, 17 nm away ## 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 19970308002609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970308002609A), Mar 8, 1997: Cessna 170A, Willow, AK, Substantial damage. Taxiing fast for takeoff from frozen lake. Hit a snow berm. Right ski crested berm then hit another. Was torn off. ## Other investigations on N1364D (2) 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 ANC95LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA041), Mar 29, 1995: Cessna 170A (N1364D), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CORRECT FOR TORQUE/P FACTOR WHEN ADDING ENGINE POWER FOR THE GO-AROUND MANEUVER. THE PILOT'S MISJUDGED FLARE, DELAYED GO-AROUND, AND LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE WERE FACTORS IN… - [NTSB ANC77DAH35](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC77DAH35), Sep 16, 1977: Cessna 170A (N1364D), Seward, AK, 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.