# NTSB ANC97LA130: Cessna 170A, N9540A, Iliamna, AK, August 24, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 23, 1997, 18:00 local (Aug 24, 1997, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Iliamna, AK - Coordinates: 59.859298, -154.030776 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.8593&lon=-154.0308&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 13, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3051 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA130 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3051/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA130 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane, which resulted in a ground swerve and overload failure of the right main landing gear. Factors related to the accident were: the crosswind, and sudden windshift. ## 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 - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - sudden windshift (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - Main gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot was departing to the west from a remote airport in a tail-wheel equipped airplane. He reported that initially, there was a left quartering wind (about 25 degrees left of the runway heading) at about 25 knots. During the takeoff roll, the pilot held the airplane on the ground for about 1,100 feet and attained an airspeed of 70 MPH. He indicated the airplane suddenly veered off the left side of the runway. The right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing struck the ground. After the accident, the pilot noticed the wind was blowing from the north at an estimated velocity of 25 knots. The Facility Directory for the airport included a caution for strong winds, severe turbulence, and possible wind shear. ## Factual narrative On August 23, 1997, about 1800 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 170A airplane, N9540A, crashed during takeoff at the Pedro Bay Airport, about 24 miles east of Iliamna, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight, when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on August 23, 1997, at 1245, the pilot reported he was departing runway 27. He indicated a left quartering wind was present and was estimated at 25 knots. The wind direction was oriented about 25 degrees to the left of the departure runway. During the departure takeoff roll, the pilot held the airplane on the ground for about 1,100 feet and attained an airspeed of 70 MPH. The pilot indicated the airplane suddenly veered off the left side of the runway. He described the sudden change in direction of the airplane as wind shear. The right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing struck the ground. After the accident, the pilot noticed the wind was blowing from the north at an estimated velocity of 25 knots. The Alaska Supplement/Facility Directory listing for the airport states, in part: "High mountainous terrain north of the airport. Ten foot pits south of the runway near the apron. Strong winds create severe turbulence and possible wind shear at the airport." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9540A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9540A), registered now, S/N 19101, built 1949 (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: 19101 - Airframe hours: 2213 - Engines: Continental C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Rodney P. Kinney - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 16, 1997, 12 hours before - Departed: AK04 - Destination: ANC, ANCHORAGE, AK - Airport: AK04, Pedro Bay, runway 27, 3,000 × 60 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 832 total, 660 in this make and model, 832 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 20 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 100 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19970823023739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970823023739A), Aug 23, 1997: Cessna 170A, Iliamna, AK, Substantial damage. Lost control departing in left gusty crosswind component an p factor problem. Windshear in area. 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.