# NTSB CHI01LA098: Cessna 170B, N2577D, South Haven, MN, March 4, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 4, 2001, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: South Haven, MN - Coordinates: 45.290279, -94.209098 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2903&lon=-94.2091&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 51856 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA098 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51856/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA098 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from the terrain during the maneuver to avoid the tree line. Factors to the accident were the diminished aircraft handling, the pilot's maneuver to avoid the tree line, the unsuitable terrain for takeoff selected by the pilot, the snow covered lake, and the tree line. ## 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 - aircraft handling - diminished (contributing factor) - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - maneuver to avoid obstructions - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot was attempting a takeoff from a snow-covered frozen lake. According to the pilot's written statement, "Taking off lake on skis. Snow was sticky - take off run was long - got airborne - couldn't climb above approaching trees - elected to turn left and land on lake." The pilot reported, "Hit the snow with the left wing tip - couldn't straighten flight path - ski on right hit snow with side load & ripped off under plane with the whole gear[.]" The pilot stated that the airplane came to rest approximately 120-feet from where the wingtip impacted terrain. ## Factual narrative On March 4, 2001, at 1330 central standard time, a Cessna 170B, N2577D, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage during an in-flight collision with terrain during a takeoff from a frozen lake near South Haven, Minnesota. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot and his two passengers reported no injuries. The flight was departing at the time of the accident and had the intended destination of Forest Lake, Minnesota. According to the pilot's written statement, "Taking off lake on skis. Snow was sticky - take off run was long - got airborne - couldn't climb above approaching trees - elected to turn left and land on lake." The pilot reported, "Hit the snow with the left wing tip - couldn't straighten flight path - ski on right hit snow with side load & ripped off under plane with the whole gear[.]" The pilot stated that the airplane came to rest approximately 120-feet from where the wingtip impacted terrain. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2577D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2577D-2002-03-18), registration cancelled 2002-03-18, S/N 20729, 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: 20729 - Airframe hours: 4091 - Engines: Continental O-300-B 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Air Shipp LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 5, 2001, 5 hours before - Departed: South Haven, MI - Destination: Forest Lake, MN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review September 27, 2000; seat: right; flight hours: 3,475 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 3,200 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 9 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: STC, 20 nm away ## 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 20010304002479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010304002479A), Mar 4, 2001: Cessna 170B, South Haven, MN, No damage. (-23) At 1930Z the pilot, with two passengers, attempted to take off on skis from lake union, which is approx. 4 miles sw of South Haven, MN. VMC conditions… 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.