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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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September 24, 2015 · Cessna 170B Undesignat · N2528C

Arctic Village, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 24, 2015
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Arctic Village, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 170B Undesignat (1954)
Tail Number
N2528C
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
GAA15CA282

The pilot reported that after taking off from a frozen gravel bar by a river in remote wilderness, the airplane stalled. The left main landing gear struck the edge of the cut bank and the left wing impacted the ground. The fuselage then impacted the top of the bank and spun counterclockwise. The pilot stated that the left wing was separated from the fuselage and the fuselage had sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot exceeded the critical angle of attack during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and a collision with terrain.

Full Narrative

The pilot reported that after taking off from a frozen gravel bar by a river in remote wilderness, the airplane stalled. The left main landing gear struck the edge of the cut bank and the left wing impacted the ground. The fuselage then impacted the top of the bank and spun counterclockwise. The pilot stated that the left wing was separated from the fuselage and the fuselage had sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported as a safety recommendation, "I would take off empty or with minimal known weight to ensure that the aircraft would perform as planned. I could then land to reload, or if partially loaded, fly to another gravel bar that was longer, and stage from there, returning to the point of origin empty, and then continue to shuttle gear and people. That first flight would have been better planned without another person on board, not just due to weight, but due to risk to that person." ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Alaska Off Airport Flight Operations The Alaskan Aviation Safety Foundation has published a safety briefing Off Airport Landings. This safety briefing discusses off airport takeoff and landing operations. This safety briefing states in part; When flying very low and slow on takeoff or landing approach, do not fly over an abrupt drop-off such as a cut bank or steep lake shore. You can abruptly lose ground effect and begin to settle. This safety briefing also lists considerations when selecting off airport takeoff and landing sites and states in part; Airplane load: Obviously, ever gram counts. Density altitude: You don't have to go into the mountains to get a change in density altitude. Ground drag: A thawed gravel bar, even a dry one, presents considerably more drag than a frozen one. Departure obstacles: An obvious thing, but if you've been flying off river bars in ground effect, it's easy to underestimate the additional space needed to clear a 15 foot obstacle.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 170B Undesignat
Tail NumberN2528C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D1A · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class · Minor
Crew 2None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 1700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point21 C / 12 C
Altimeter29.84 inHg
Observation Time20:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data