# NTSB ANC98LA121: Cessna 170B, N8181A, Arctic Village, AK, August 14, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 13, 1998, 17:00 local (Aug 14, 1998, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Arctic Village, AK - Coordinates: 68.089485, -145.600418 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=68.0895&lon=-145.6004&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report May 19, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 43867 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA121 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43867/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA121 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors associated with the accident were variable, and gusty wind conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - variable wind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - tundra ## Analysis The commercial pilot was attempting a southwesterly departure from a 2,000 feet long lake, in a float equipped airplane. He reported that about midway in the takeoff run, he reduced the flap setting from 20 to 10 degrees. He said that as the airplane became airborne and passed over the departure end of the lake, a sudden wind shift caused the airplane to lose altitude. He said that as the airplane continued to lose altitude, the right wing and right float collided with brush covered tundra, and sustained substantial damage. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The pilot reported that wind conditions at the time of the accident were about 240 degrees at 15 knots with peak gusts to 20 knots. ## Factual narrative On August 13, 1998, about 1700 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Cessna 170B airplane, N8181A, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from a remote lake located about 85 miles northeast of Arctic Village, 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 commercial pilot, and the one passenger aboard received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the accident lake, about 1655. In his written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the pilot stated that he was attempting a southwesterly departure from a 2,000 feet long lake. He reported that about midway in the takeoff run, he reduced the flap setting from 20 to 10 degrees. He said that as the airplane became airborne and passed over the departure end of the lake, a sudden wind shift caused the airplane to lose altitude. He said that as the airplane continued to lose altitude, the right wing and right float collided with brush covered tundra, and sustained substantial damage. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The pilot reported that wind conditions at the time of the accident were about 240 degrees at 15 knots with peak gusts to 20 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8181A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8181A-2012-09-06), registration cancelled 2012-09-06, S/N 25033, built 1952 (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: 25033 - Airframe hours: 4601 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kurt Gustav Becker - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 12, 1998, 50 hours before - Destination: FAIRBANKS, AK - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 6,800 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken - Temperature: 45 °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 19980813021279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980813021279A), Aug 13, 1998: Cessna 170B, Artic Village, AK, Substantial damage. Float plane was taking off when the right float caught bushes at the end of the lake, the floats ripped off, the wing spars broke. (.4)the commercial pilot was… 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.