# NTSB ANC97LA114: Cessna 170B, N3491C, Juneau, AK, August 2, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1997, 22:00 local (Aug 2, 1997, 06:00 UTC)
- Place: Juneau, AK
- Coordinates: 58.579627, -134.769775 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.5796&lon=-134.7698&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 November 10, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3037
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3037/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA114

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable off-airport site for takeoff, and his premature lift-off.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dusk
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

The pilot was departing from an 800-foot-long beach site at dusk.  During lift-off at less than flying speed the airplane dragged a wingtip and subsequently settled into the water.

## Factual narrative

On August 1, 1997, about 2200 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 170B tail wheel equipped airplane, N3491C, sustained substantial damage when it impacted water during an attempted takeoff from a beach on Seymour Canal, about 22 miles southeast of Juneau, Alaska, at position 58-00.0 north latitude, 134-20.0 west longitude.  The private certificated pilot was uninjured.  The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 in visual meteorological conditions as a personal flight.  Lighting conditions were evening twilight.

The pilot stated to the NTSB investigator that he began his takeoff from hard, wet sand with an estimated 800 feet of takeoff length available.  When he saw the water become visible in the landing light, he applied flaps to become airborne, but did not have sufficient airspeed to fly.  The airplane's right wing contacted the water, and the airplane came to rest approximately 200 feet from the shoreline, in approximately three feet of water.  The pilot waded to shore, and was picked up by a passing aircraft about 1000 on August 2, 1997.

The pilot stated that he weighs 180 pounds, and that there was 90 pounds of fuel on board.  The passenger seats had all been removed, and there was a thirty pound pack and a ten pound rifle on board.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3491C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3491C), registered now, S/N 26534, 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: 26534
- Airframe hours: 3383
- Engines: Continental O-300A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John L. Demuth
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 1997, 20 hours before
- Destination: JNU, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 60 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 330° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °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 19970801025829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970801025829A), Aug 1, 1997: Cessna 170B, Juneau, AK, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot was departing from an 800-foot-long beach site at dusk. During lift-off at less than flying speed the airplane dragged a wingtip and subsequently…

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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