# NTSB ANC99LA038: Cessna 170B, N3200A, Mccarthy, AK, March 28, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 28, 1999, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Mccarthy, AK - Coordinates: 55.919578, -159.489639 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.9196&lon=-159.4896&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 46043 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA038 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46043/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA038 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff in a timely manner. Factors associated with the accident were a tailwind, the pilot's inadequate weather evaluation, and the pilot's premature liftoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with weather, takeoff - roll/run - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor) - stall - intentional, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The private pilot was attempting a takeoff with his wheel-ski equipped airplane from an airstrip 1,200 feet long, packed with snow. He said the airplane became airborne about midfield, but settled onto the runway. He elected to continue the takeoff, and again became airborne near the end of the runway. He said he did not have sufficient altitude to clear the trees at the end of the runway, and stalled the airplane onto the end of the runway. The airplane continued off the end of the runway, and collided with a tree. The pilot related that he thought the wind was light and variable prior to takeoff, but thinks he may have encountered a tailwind during the takeoff roll. He said there were no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On March 28, 1999, about 1730 Alaska standard time, a Cessna 170B wheel-ski equipped airplane, N3200A, sustained substantial damage during an attempted takeoff from a snow-covered, unnamed airstrip about 10 miles southeast of McCarthy, Alaska. The private pilot and the one passenger aboard were not injured. The personal, 14 CFR Part 91 flight, operated in visual meteorological conditions. A VFR flight plan was filed. The intended destination was Palmer, Alaska. In the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report the pilot completed, he reported he was attempting to takeoff to the east, from an area of packed snow that was approximately 1,200 feet long. He said the airplane lifted off about midfield, but then settled onto the runway. He said he continued the takeoff run in an attempt to gain sufficient airspeed to become airborne. He extended the wing flaps and lifted off, but saw he would be unable to climb quickly enough to avoid the trees at the end of the runway. He said he increased pitch, and stalled the airplane onto the end of the airstrip prior to hitting the trees. The airplane continued forward and collided with a spruce tree. Prior to the accident, he said the wind was light and variable. After the accident, he said he and the passenger noted more wind than he believed was present when he attempted the takeoff. He did not provide an estimate of the postaccident wind's velocity or direction. Under the heading "Recommendation (How Could This Accident Have Been Prevented)", the pilot wrote, in part: "Accident may have been caused by unexpected tailwind/gust. Plan departure when less chance of tailwind." The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right horizontal stabilizer, and leading edge of the right wing. The pilot indicated there were no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3200A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3200A-2013-08-08), registration cancelled 2013-08-08, S/N 25844, 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: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25844 - Airframe hours: 4919 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Eric P. Yould - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 3, 1998, 68 hours before - Destination: PAQ, PALMER, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: runway 9, 1,200 × 40 ft, snow ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 525 total, 72 in this make and model, 479 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °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 19990328011509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990328011509A), Mar 28, 1999: Cessna 170B, Mcarthy, AK, Substantial damage. On March 28, 1999, about 1730 Alaska standard time, a Cessna 170B wheel-ski eqipped airplane, N3200A, sustained substantial damage during an attempted off… 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.