GENERAL INFORMATION FOR NTSB REPORT: ANC00LA031
Data Source NTSB AVIATION ACCIDENT/INCIDENT DATABASE
NTSB Report Nbr ANC00LA031
Event Id 20001212X20574
Local Date 03/05/2000
Local Time 1620
State AK
Event Type ACCIDENT
Injury Severity NONE
Record Status FINAL
Mid Air Collision NO
Event Location OFF AIRPORT/AIRSTRIP

WEATHER INFORMATION
Weather Briefing Complete UNKNOWN
Basic Weather Conditions VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL COND
Light Condition DAY
Cloud Condition CLEAR
Cloud Height above Ground Level (ft) 0
Ceiling Height above Ground Level (ft) 0
Cloud Type NONE
Visibility RVR (ft) 0
Visibility RVV (sm) 0
Visibility (sm) 20
Wind Direction (deg) 0
Wind Condition Flag U
Wind Speed (knots) 0
Wind Condition Indicated Calm

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
Aircraft 1
Type of Operation PART 91: GENERAL AVIATION
Registration Number N2814C
Aircraft Make CESSNA
Aircraft Model 170
Aircraft Series B
Aircraft Damage SUBSTANTIAL
Aircraft Fire NONE
Aircraft Explosion NONE
Aircraft Type AIRPLANE
Aircraft Homebuilt UNKNOWN
Phase of Flight UNDEFINED
Aircraft Use PERSONAL
Flight Plan Filed NONE
Operator Name
Operator Doing Business As
Owner Name ROBERT D. STONE
Number of Seats 4
Number of Engines 1
ELT Installed YES
ELT Operated UNKNOWN
Departure Airport Id
Departure City
Last Departure Point YES
Destination Airport Id PANC
Destination City ANCHORAGE
Destination State ALASKA
Runway Id 0
Air Carrier Operating Certificates NO
Air Carrier Other Operating Certificates UNKNOWN
Rotocraft/Agriculture Operating Certificate UNKNOWN
Cert Max Gross Wgt 2200

ENGINE INFORMATION

Aircraft 1 - Engine : #1
Engine Manufactuer Lycoming
Engine Model O-320-A1A
Engine Horsepower 180
Engine Thrust HP
Carb/Injection CARBURETOR

INJURY INFORMATION
Injury Summary for Aircraft 1
Fatal Serious Minor None
Crew 0 0 0 0
Pass 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 3
Sequence of Events for Aircraft 1
Occurrence #1
ON GROUND/WATER ENCOUNTER WITH TERRAIN/WATER
Phase of Operation: TAKEOFF - ROLL/RUN

Events Sequence for Occurrence #1 of Aircraft 1
Event Seq # Event Group Code Subject Modifier Personnel Cause/Factor
1 1 TERRAIN CONDITION SNOW COVERED FACTOR
2 2 UNSUITABLE TERRAIN OR TAKEOFF/LANDING/TAXI AREA SELECTED PILOT IN COMMAND CAUSE
3 1 TERRAIN CONDITION SOFT FACTOR

Occurrence #2
LOSS OF CONTROL - ON GROUND/WATER
Phase of Operation: TAKEOFF - ROLL/RUN

Events Sequence for Occurrence #2 of Aircraft 1
Event Seq # Event Group Code Subject Modifier Personnel Cause/Factor
4 2 GROUND LOOP/SWERVE INADVERTENT PILOT IN COMMAND FACTOR

Occurrence #3
NOSE DOWN
Phase of Operation: TAKEOFF - ROLL/RUN

Events Sequence for Occurrence #3 of Aircraft 1
Event Seq # Event Group Code Subject Modifier Personnel Cause/Factor




AIRCRAFT 1 PRELIMINARY REPORT


On March 5, 2000, about 1620 Alaska standard time, a ski-equipped Cessna 170B airplane, N2814C, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from a remote, snow-covered area, about 20 miles west of Big Lake, Alaska, about latitude 61 degrees, 34 minutes north, and longitude 150 degrees, 29 minutes west. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight to Anchorage, Alaska, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, and the two passengers, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on March 6, 2000, the pilot reported he was taking off toward the east. During the takeoff run, the pilot said he noticed sloping terrain in front of the airplane that angled sharply to the left. To avoid the drop off, he applied right rudder, and turned about 10 degrees to the right. He then applied left rudder to stop the turn, but the left ski dug into soft snow. The airplane ground looped to the left, and then nosed down in the snow. The airplane received damage to the landing gear, both wings, and the left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot said the wind conditions were calm.

AIRCRAFT 1 FINAL REPORT


The private certificated pilot was departing a remote, snow-covered area in a ski equipped airplane. During the takeoff run, the pilot said he noticed sloping terrain in front of the airplane that angled sharply to the left. To avoid the drop off, he applied right rudder, and turned about 10 degrees to the right. He then applied left rudder to stop the turn, but the left ski dug into soft snow. The airplane ground looped to the left, and then nosed down in the snow. The airplane received damage to the landing gear, both wings, and the left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot said the wind conditions were calm.

AIRCRAFT 1 CAUSE REPORT


The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff. Factors in the accident were soft, snow-covered terrain, and an inadvertent ground loop.


END REPORT