NTSB Factual Report

On August 29, 2001, about 1300 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Cessna 170B airplane, N4669C, sustained substantial damage during a takeoff from a remote area, about 35 miles southeast of Fairbanks, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on August 30, the pilot reported that he was departing toward the north from a small bench area that is about 700 feet long, and 40 feet wide. The pilot said he had utilized the area for landing in the past. The terrain below the bench had several trees, and then an open area of tall grass. The pilot said the airplane lifted off the ground during the takeoff run, but then seemed to "mush" downward. He lowered the nose of the airplane but the left wing collided with a tree about 20 feet above the ground. The pilot then pulled the engine power off, and the airplane descended into the area of grass. During the touchdown, the left main landing gear strut was displaced aft from its attach point at the fuselage.

The closest official weather observation station is Fairbanks, Alaska, which is located 35 nautical miles northwest of the accident site. On August 29, at 1353, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) was reporting in part: Wind, 090 degrees (true) at 6 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, few at 6,000 feet, 10,000 feet scattered, 18,000 feet scattered; temperature, 68 degrees F; dew point, 42 degrees F; altimeter, 29.51 inHg.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadvertent stall/mush during the initial climb after takeoff, and subsequent in-flight collision with a tree.