# NTSB ANC98LA071: Cessna 172, N171Q, Angoon, AK, June 12, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 12, 1998, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Angoon, AK - Coordinates: 57.440269, -134.480911 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.4403&lon=-134.4809&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 19, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3156 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA071 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3156/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA071 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the aborted takeoff. A factor associated with the accident was rough and uneven terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - aborted - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - landing gear,main gear - collapsed ## Analysis The certificated private pilot was attempting a northerly departure from a tidal beach. The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll the airplane hit a bump, and became airborne prematurely. The pilot attempted to abort the takeoff, and the airplane slid sideways to the right. The right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that wind conditions at the time of the accident were from the east at 8 knots. ## Factual narrative On June 12, 1998, about 1000 Alaska daylight time, N171Q, a wheel equipped Cessna 172 airplane converted to a tail wheel configuration, sustained substantial damage during takeoff, about 10 miles west of Angoon, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The certificated private pilot/owner, and the one passenger aboard were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Juneau International Airport, Juneau, Alaska, about 0700. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on June 12, the pilot reported that while departing to the north from a tidal beach, the airplane hit a bump, and became airborne prematurely. The pilot attempted to abort the takeoff, and the airplane slid sideways to the right. The right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot stated that the wind conditions at the time of the accident were from the east at 8 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N171Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N171Q), registered now, S/N 28197, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28197 - Airframe hours: 4702 - Engines: Continental O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Christopher H. Gates, Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 3, 1997, 86 hours before - Departed: JNU, JUNEAU, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 400 total, 200 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 15 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 8 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 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 19980612020639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980612020639A), Jun 12, 1998: Cessna 172, Angoon, AK, Substantial damage. Crashed on a beach takeoff. Rolled left on liftoff. Settled into mud and nosed over. Premature lift an p factor. (.4)the certificated private pilot was… ## Other investigations on N171Q (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 CEN22LA380](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA380), Aug 7, 2022: Cessna 172 (N171Q), McCarthy, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff in turbulent weather conditions. - [NTSB GAA18CA454](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA454), Jul 25, 2018: Cessna 172 (N171Q), Meadow Lakes, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s selection of the wrong fuel tank for departure, which resulted in fuel starvation and the subsequent total loss of engine power. 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.