Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary ANC01LA086

Haines, AK, USA

Aircraft #1

N46326

Cessna 152

Analysis

The pilot reported he landed on an uncompleted section of roadway his company was working on. During the subsequent takeoff, he allowed the airplane's left main landing gear tire to enter a rut. He said he over corrected, lost directional control, and went off the side of the runway and struck a stump with the horizontal stabilizer.

Factual Information

On July 15, 2001, about 1605 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Cessna 152 airplane, N46326, sustained substantial damage during an attempted takeoff from the Haines Highway, near Haines, Alaska. The private pilot/owner of the airplane and the one passenger were not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 local pleasure flight departed Juneau, Alaska, about 1400, and operated in visual meteorological conditions. The flight was returning to Juneau at the time of the accident. During a telephone conversation with the pilot on July 16, he related he had landed on a portion of the Haines Highway that was under construction. He said he is familiar with that portion of the highway because the company he works for is currently doing road restoration there. He reported that during takeoff, he inadvertently allowed the left main landing gear tire to contact a rut alongside the road. He said he overcorrected to the right, and the airplane went off the right side of the road, where the right horizontal stabilizer received substantial damage when it struck a stump. The pilot said there were no preimpact mechanical problems with the airplane.

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll. Factors associated with the accident are the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff, and a rough/uneven takeoff area.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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