# NTSB GAA19CA529: Cessna 172, N737NJ, Mekoryuk, AK, September 8, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 7, 2019, 20:15 local (Sep 8, 2019, 04:15 UTC) - Place: Mekoryuk, AK - Coordinates: 59.129615, -161.569503 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.1296&lon=-161.5695&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 11, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100218 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA529 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100218/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100218 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA529 ## Probable cause The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during takeoff in gusting wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 150 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 134 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 44 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during takeoff from a beach, the airplane lifted off and reached about 10 ft above ground level, but he then "felt something holding [the airplane] down." He lowered the nose to build up airspeed and attempted to climb again, but the airplane was unable to climb due to a downdraft. The pilot was unable to abort the takeoff due to increased airspeed and reduced landing area. The airplane was heading toward a 50- to 60-ft-tall bank, so he decided to "pull up" and attempt to fly over it. The airplane continued for about 3/4 mile, aerodynamically stalled, and then the empennage impacted terrain. The airplane continued about 30 ft, struck a big clump of dirt, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the wind was variable at 27 knots, gusting to 36 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during takeoff on a beach, the airplane lifted off the ground to about 10 ft but he "felt something holding [him] down." He lowered the nose to build up the airspeed, attempted to climb again, but was unable to climb due to a downdraft. He was unable to abort the takeoff due to increased airspeed and reduced landing area prior to a 50 ft bank. He decided to "pull up and go over that 50 to 60 ft bank." The airplane continued about three-quarters of a mile, aerodynamically stalled, and the empennage impacted terrain. The airplane continued about 30 ft, struck a "big clump of dirt," and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the wind was variable at 27 knots, gusting to 36 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N737NJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N737NJ), registered now, S/N 17269543, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 (N) - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17269543 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 3744.6 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 29, 2019 - Departed: BET, Bethel, AK - Destination: BET, Bethel, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Equipment: Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 2, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 665.2 total, 370.9 in this make and model, 665.2 as pilot in command, 136.6 in the last 90 days, 31.1 in the last 30 days, 9.6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 23 knots, gusting 28 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken - Observed at: PAMY, 33 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 20190907023489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190907023489A), Sep 7, 2019: Cessna 172N, Mekoryuk, AK, Substantial damage. Airman departed from soft Beach with aircraft loaded near mgw. Became airborne in gound effect until running out of room - pulled up to avoid bank on Beach,… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 7, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100218. 3.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477844&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 24 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477845&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 115 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477846&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.PDF 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.