# NTSB ANC99LA098: Cessna 172, N79169, Sheldon Point, AK, July 29, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 28, 1999, 18:00 local (Jul 29, 1999, 02:00 UTC) - Place: Sheldon Point, AK - Coordinates: 62.440345, -165.150558 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.4403&lon=-165.1506&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 46871 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA098 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46871/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA098 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind conditions during takeoff. Factors associated with the accident were a crosswind, and wind gusts. ## 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 - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment ## Analysis The solo airline transport pilot reported he was attempting to takeoff in a gusty, 90 degree left crosswind. He estimated the wind velocity as 18 knots, gusting to 23 knots. During the takeoff roll, he said a gust of wind lifted the left wing, and forced the airplane to the right, off the runway, and down an embankment, where it nosed over. The pilot said there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On July 28, 1999, about 1800 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 172 airplane, N79169, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from the Sheldon Point Airport, Sheldon Point, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by Grant Aviation of Bethel, Alaska, as a visual flight rules (VFR) positioning flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo airline transport pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the Emmonak Airport, Emmonak, Alaska, and the intended destination was Emmonak. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge on July 29, the pilot reported he was attempting to depart on runway 20. He said there was a gusty left crosswind, of about 18 knots and 90 degrees to the runway. Shortly after beginning the takeoff roll, he said a wind gust lifted the left wing, and pushed the airplane to the right, and off the runway. He said he reduced power and attempted to keep the airplane on the runway, but the airplane went off the runway, down an embankment, and nosed over. The pilot said there was no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. The airplane received substantial damage to the right wing and vertical stabilizer. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N79169](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N79169), registered now, S/N 17257932, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172-57932 - Airframe hours: 5952 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: Grant Aviation - Registered owner: Thomas Lapp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 14, 1999, 39 hours before - Departed: ENM, EMMONAK, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: SXP, Sheldon Point, runway 20, 2,060 × 50 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,232 total, 750 in this make and model, 2,101 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 79 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 18 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 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 19990728010069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990728010069A), Jul 28, 1999: Cessna 172, Sheldon Point, AK, Substantial damage. Acft crashed on take-off and sustained substantial damage, other circumstances are unknown. (.19) on July 28, 1999, about 1800 Alaska daylight time, a wheel… 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.