# NTSB ANC97LA154: Cessna 170B, N1831C, Lime Village, AK, September 23, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 23, 1997, 11:35 local (19:35 UTC) - Place: Lime Village, AK - Coordinates: 63.469577, -162.109069 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.4696&lon=-162.1091&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3072 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA154 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3072/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA154 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - tree(s) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot and passenger were departing a small, remote gravel area in the tail-wheel equipped airplane. The takeoff area, located about 1,700 feet mean sea level, was about 800 feet long, and oriented on an east/west direction. The pilot departed toward the west, and lifted off near the end of the takeoff area. The tail of the airplane struck the tops of several willow trees, about 15 feet above the ground. The elevator received damage, and the pilot was unable to push forward on the control wheel. The airplane then stall/mushed, and settled onto the ground. The airplane's main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing struck additional willow trees. The pilot reported the wind conditions at the time of the accident were about 090 degrees at 3 knots. ## Factual narrative On September 23, 1997, about 1135 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 170B, N1831C, crashed during takeoff from a remote area, about 35 miles north-northeast of Lime Village, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country 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. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on September 26, 1997, at 0910, the pilot reported he was departing a gravel area located about 1,700 feet mean sea level. The takeoff area is about 800 feet long and oriented on an east/west direction, located along the Black Bear Creek. The pilot departed toward the west and lifted off near the end of the takeoff area. The tail of the airplane struck the tops of several willow trees, about 15 feet above the ground. The elevator received damage, and the pilot was unable to push forward on the control wheel. The airplane then stall/mushed, and settled onto the ground. The airplane's main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing struck additional willow trees. The pilot reported the weather conditions at the time of the accident consisted of: Wind, 090 degrees at 3 knots; visibility, 50 statute miles; sky condition and ceiling, 6,000 feet scattered; temperature, 45 degrees F. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1831C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1831C), registered now, S/N 25975, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 170B - Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25975 - Airframe hours: 4545 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Charles J. Roesbery Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 8, 1996 - Destination: MCG, MCGRATH, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,575 total, 1,450 in this make and model, 1,483 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 3 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °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 19970923029099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970923029099A), Sep 23, 1997: Cessna 170B, Lime Village, AK, Substantial damage. Tail damaged by tree strikes on takoff from remote strip. Jammed elevators. Stalled. Impacted ground. More trees. 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.