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NTSB Report

November 11, 1997 · Piper PA-31-T3 · N314SC

Tyonek, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 11, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (5 uninjured)
Location
Tyonek, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-31-T3
Tail Number
N314SC
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC98LA010

A twin engine airplane was departing a private airstrip on a non scheduled air taxi flight during night VFR conditions. The airplane had accelerated to between 85 and 90 knots on the runway. The captain noticed a shadow ahead and left of the airplane, and then felt an impact with the airplane. He aborted the takeoff, and stopped the airplane on the runway. He taxied clear of the runway, and noticed a moose had been struck by the left wing of the airplane during the departure roll. The airplane received damage to the left wing tip, and the left wing spar. The airport is served by several air taxi operators, and is surrounded by brush and trees. A road parallels the east side of the runway, and a line of trees begins about 100 feet east of the road. The airport property is not fenced.

NTSB Probable Cause

An on-ground collision with an animal (moose). Factors in the accident were night VFR conditions that restricted the pilot's visual lookout, and the lack of an airport perimeter fence.

Full Narrative

On November 11, 1997, about 1800 Alaska standard time, a Piper PA-31-T3 airplane, N314SC, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a moose during takeoff from the Beluga Airport, located about 7 miles north of Tyonek, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) on-demand passenger flight under Title 14 CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by South Central Air Inc., Kenai, Alaska. The captain, a certificated airline transport pilot, the first officer, a certificated commercial pilot, and 3 passengers, were not injured. Night, visual meteorological conditions prevailed. VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The operator reported the airplane was departing runway 18, and had accelerated to between 85 and 90 knots. The captain noticed a shadow ahead and left of the airplane, and then felt an impact with the airplane. He aborted the takeoff, and stopped the airplane on the runway. He taxied clear of the runway, and noticed a moose had been struck by the left wing of the airplane during the departure roll. The airplane received damage to the left wing tip, and the left wing spar. The Beluga Airport is a private airport served by several air taxi operators. Runway 18/36 has a gravel surface, and is 5,000 feet long, and 100 feet wide. The airport is surrounded by brush and trees. A road parallels the east side of the runway, and a line of trees begins about 100 feet east of the road. The airport property is not fenced.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 AKST
Nearest AirportBELUGA (0nm)
Runway18
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-31-T3
Tail NumberN314SC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6-11 · Turboprop · 500
Seats10

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (5 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total5
Crew 1Age 40 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point34 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data