MCCARTHY, AK, USA
N3200A
Cessna 170B
The private pilot was attempting a takeoff with his wheel-ski equipped airplane from an airstrip 1,200 feet long, packed with snow. He said the airplane became airborne about midfield, but settled onto the runway. He elected to continue the takeoff, and again became airborne near the end of the runway. He said he did not have sufficient altitude to clear the trees at the end of the runway, and stalled the airplane onto the end of the runway. The airplane continued off the end of the runway, and collided with a tree. The pilot related that he thought the wind was light and variable prior to takeoff, but thinks he may have encountered a tailwind during the takeoff roll. He said there were no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane.
On March 28, 1999, about 1730 Alaska standard time, a Cessna 170B wheel-ski equipped airplane, N3200A, sustained substantial damage during an attempted takeoff from a snow-covered, unnamed airstrip about 10 miles southeast of McCarthy, Alaska. The private pilot and the one passenger aboard were not injured. The personal, 14 CFR Part 91 flight, operated in visual meteorological conditions. A VFR flight plan was filed. The intended destination was Palmer, Alaska. In the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report the pilot completed, he reported he was attempting to takeoff to the east, from an area of packed snow that was approximately 1,200 feet long. He said the airplane lifted off about midfield, but then settled onto the runway. He said he continued the takeoff run in an attempt to gain sufficient airspeed to become airborne. He extended the wing flaps and lifted off, but saw he would be unable to climb quickly enough to avoid the trees at the end of the runway. He said he increased pitch, and stalled the airplane onto the end of the airstrip prior to hitting the trees. The airplane continued forward and collided with a spruce tree. Prior to the accident, he said the wind was light and variable. After the accident, he said he and the passenger noted more wind than he believed was present when he attempted the takeoff. He did not provide an estimate of the postaccident wind's velocity or direction. Under the heading "Recommendation (How Could This Accident Have Been Prevented)", the pilot wrote, in part: "Accident may have been caused by unexpected tailwind/gust. Plan departure when less chance of tailwind." The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right horizontal stabilizer, and leading edge of the right wing. The pilot indicated there were no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane.
The pilot's failure to abort the takeoff in a timely manner. Factors associated with the accident were a tailwind, the pilot's inadequate weather evaluation, and the pilot's premature liftoff.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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