SKWENTNA, AK, USA
N14C
CESSNA 206
THE PILOT HAD DROPPED OFF 2 SHEEP HUNTERS AT THE REMOTE TUNDRA STRIP, AND WAS DEPARTING ON A CROSS-COUNTRY POSITIONING FLIGHT. THE AIRSTRIP ORIENTATION WAS 10-20 DEG TO THE LEFT OF THE PREVAILING WINDS, REPORTED BY THE PILOT AS 30 MPH. THE PILOT SELECTED 20 DEG OF FLAPS AND BEGAN HIS TAKEOFF ROLL. FOLLOWING LIFT-OFF, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO ROLL TO THE LEFT. THE PILOT APPLIED MAXIMUM RIGHT AILERON AND RIGHT RUDDER; HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO DIVERGE TO THE LEFT. THE PILOT THEN ABORTED THE TAKEOFF, THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE GROUND, AND THE AIRPLANE PIVOTED 180 DEG TO THE LEFT. THE AIRPLANE WAS ROBERTSON STOL EQUIPPED. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE 20 DEG FLAP SETTING ALLOWED FOR THE MOST MINIMAL AILERON TRAVEL, AND A 10 DEG FLAP SETTING MAY HAVE HELPED GIVE MORE ROLL AUTHORITY.
On August 9, 1994, at 1500 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 206 airplane, N14C, owned by ACE Flyers Inc., a 14 CFR Part 135 on demand operator headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska, collided with terrain during an aborted takeoff from a remote tundra strip approximately 60 miles west of Skwentna, Alaska. The airline transport certificated pilot-in-command, the sole occupant, was not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated at Merrill Field in Anchorage, Alaska at 1145 for the purpose of transporting two sheep hunters to the tundra strip under 14 CFR Part 135. The departure from the strip was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 for the purpose of repositioning the airplane back to Merrill Field. The pilot reported that visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area of the mishap and that a company VFR flight plan was in effect. The pilot reported that the takeoff from the strip was on an easterly heading and that the prevailing wind was out of the east at about 30 miles per hour and about 10 to 20 degrees right of the departure heading. As the airplane left the ground, it began to roll to the left. The pilot said that he used full right aileron and right rudder but the plane continued to diverge to the left so he pulled the power and landed to the left side of the strip where upon the left wing struck the ground. The pilot indicated that the airplane is equipped with a short takeoff and landing (STOL) modification and he selected 20 degrees of flaps for the takeoff. That flap setting provides the most restrictive amount of aileron travel.
THE PILOTS INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE HIGH WIND CONDITION DURING TAKEOFF. THE WIND WAS A FACTOR.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
