# NTSB ANC97LA043: Cessna 170B, N3486C, Fairbanks, AK, March 16, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 16, 1997, 18:55 local (22:55 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 64.809074, -147.720748 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8091&lon=-147.7207&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2978 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA043 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2978/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA043 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was taking off from a snow-covered, off-airport site in his ski-equipped airplane. He said he was unable to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, and went to the left into trees and brush. ## Factual narrative On March 16, 1997, about 1855 Alaska standard time, a ski equipped Cessna 170B airplane, N3486C, sustained substantial damage during an attempted takeoff from an off airport site near Newman Creek, located approximately 60 miles south of Fairbanks, Alaska. The solo private pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions. A VFR flight plan was in effect. The airplane last departed Lakloey, Alaska, about 1645, and was returning to Lakloey at the time of the accident. The pilot reported the accident occurred during his seventh departure from the same, unimproved "bush" strip that same day. On the accident takeoff attempt, the pilot said he was unable to maintain directional control, and the airplane departed the takeoff area and entered an area of trees and brush. The left wing contacted a tree, and the airplane turned abruptly to the left, into more brush. The airplane received damage to about five feet of the outboard section of the left wing, the left wing rear spar is broken in the vicinity of the fuel tank, the fuselage near the left wing attach point is wrinkled, and the right aileron and elevator are damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3486C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3486C), registered now, S/N 26529, built 1954 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 170B - Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 26529 - Airframe hours: 7132 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-AIA 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Rick J. Schikora - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 10, 1996, 67 hours before - Departed: LAKLOEY, AK - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,922 total, 2,950 in this make and model, 3,822 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 3 knots - Visibility: 100 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: -15 °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 19970316006439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970316006439A), Mar 16, 1997: Cessna 170B, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on takeoff roll on remote strip. Hit trees and brush. Damaged wing spar. Fuselage wrinkled ## Other investigations on N3486C (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 ANC81DA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DA003), Oct 11, 1980: Cessna 170B (N3486C), Fort Yukon, 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.