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NTSB Report
July 1, 1985 · Cessna 172M · N20541
Theodore River, AK
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 1, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Theodore River, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N20541
Operator
Kenneth D Triplett
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC85LA114
AFTER LOADING THE ACFT TO ITS MAX GROSS WT, THE PLT INITIATED A TAKEOFF FROM A ROAD ON LEVEL TERRAIN THAT HAD NUMEROUS DIPS & BUMPS. THE ROAD WAS ONLY 11 FT WIDE & WAS BORDERED BY HEAVY BRUSH. THE PLT REPORTED THAT PRIOR TO REACHING THE LIFT-OFF SPEED DURING TAKEOFF, THE ACFT WENT OVER A HUMP IN THE ROAD & BECAME AIRBORNE. IT DRIFTED SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT & THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR CONTACTED BRUSH, THEN THE PLANE YAWED & ROLLED TO THE RIGHT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT SETTLED BACK TO THE ROAD & BRUSH, SLID INTO A DITCH, ENCOUNTERED SOFT TUNDRA & NOSED OVER.
Full Narrative
AFTER LOADING THE ACFT TO ITS MAX GROSS WT, THE PLT INITIATED A TAKEOFF FROM A ROAD ON LEVEL TERRAIN THAT HAD NUMEROUS DIPS & BUMPS. THE ROAD WAS ONLY 11 FT WIDE & WAS BORDERED BY HEAVY BRUSH. THE PLT REPORTED THAT PRIOR TO REACHING THE LIFT-OFF SPEED DURING TAKEOFF, THE ACFT WENT OVER A HUMP IN THE ROAD & BECAME AIRBORNE. IT DRIFTED SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT & THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR CONTACTED BRUSH, THEN THE PLANE YAWED & ROLLED TO THE RIGHT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT SETTLED BACK TO THE ROAD & BRUSH, SLID INTO A DITCH, ENCOUNTERED SOFT TUNDRA & NOSED OVER.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:45 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN20541
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorKenneth D Triplett
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2A · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 45 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 8 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 46
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:45
Weather SourcePILO