AIRCRAFT 1 PRELIMINARY REPORT

On February 7, 2000, about 1800 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Cessna 207 airplane, N327CT, operated as scheduled commuter Flight 71 by Hageland Aviation, Bethel, Alaska, sustained substantial damage during a takeoff attempt from the Tuluksak Airport, Tuluksak, Alaska. The commercial certificated pilot and the four passengers aboard reported no injuries. The flight was en route to Bethel. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a company flight plan was in effect. During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge on February 8, the pilot related that he began a takeoff from the north ramp area onto runway 20. He said the 2,500 feet long by 30 feet wide runway was plowed to the edges, and the edges were marked with cones. He noted there were berms outside of, and up to, the cones, and that in some areas, clumps of snow were visible on the runway from where snow machines had crossed. The pilot related that about 60 knots indicated airspeed, just prior to rotation, the airplane veered suddenly to the left. He said he pulled the throttle to idle, and attempted to correct to the right. He was unable to recover control of the airplane prior to the left wingtip striking a berm on the left edge of the runway. The airplane continued towards the berm, and nosed over. The pilot indicated the airplane's landing gear may have encountered either soft snow on the runway, or a mound of snow or ice, which pulled the airplane to the left. The pilot said the wind was calm, and the skies clear. He said it was difficult to distinguish objects or terrain features due to the flat light, and the lack of contrast between the runway and surrounding snow-covered terrain. Postaccident inspection of the airplane disclosed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies.

AIRCRAFT 1 FINAL REPORT

The scheduled commuter flight with a pilot and four passengers was attempting to takeoff at dusk from a 2500 feet long, by 30 feet wide, snow-covered runway. The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, the airplane veered suddenly to the left, towards the edge of the runway and an adjacent snow berm. He said he aborted the takeoff, but could not keep the airplane from striking a berm and nosing over. The pilot said he believes the airplane's main landing gear may have encountered an area of soft snow on the runway, which initiated the veer to the left. Postaccident inspection discovered no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

AIRCRAFT 1 CAUSE REPORT

The pilot's failure to maintain proper alignment during the takeoff roll. A factor associated with the accident was a soft area of snow on the runway.

END REPORT