Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Kotzebue, Alaska 99752
Sunday, July 28, 2013 18:17 AKD

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

The pilot was demonstrating a confined area takeoff for a part 135 Visual Flight Rules (VFR) competency check from a remote lake in a float equipped airplane. The check airman, seated in the right seat, instructed the pilot to begin his takeoff run 90 degrees from the prevailing wind, and turn into the wind as the airplane accelerated for departure. During the takeoff water run the pilot failed to turn away from the shoreline. The airplane was almost on the step when the shoreline jutted out perpendicular to the takeoff run. He attempted to force the airplane into the air by applying flaps, and pulling aft on the control yoke, but the airplane impacted the shore, bounced into the air, and slid across the ground for approximately 100 yards before nosing down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the check airman stated that the accident may have been prevented if he had ensured the pilot understood his instructions, or if he would have discontinued the maneuver before an unsafe condition developed.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

The pilot's lack of situational awareness and failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain during takeoff. Factors contributing to the accident was the check airmen’s inadequate supervision.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 7/28/2013
Event Day of the Week Sunday
Time of Event 1817
Event Time Zone --
Event City Kotzebue
Event State ALASKA
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 99752
Event Date Year 2013
Event Date Month 7
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 664231N
Event Location Longitude 1622510W
Event Location Airport --
Event Location Nearest Airport ID --
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Off Airport/Airstrip
Distance from airport in statute miles --
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation --
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 1753 Atlantic Daylight Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 320
Weather Observation Facility ID PAOT
Elevation of weather observation facility 14
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 8
Time Zone of the weather observation ADT
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height 2400
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height --
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions --
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling Overcast
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 10
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 14
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) 52
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 200
Variable Wind Indicator Wind direction could be determined
Wind Speed (knots) 9
Wind Velocity Indicator --
Wind Gust Indicator Not Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) --
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 30.09
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury None
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None 2
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All --
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 31714
NTSB Notification Source Alaskan FAA Regional Operation
NTSB Notification Date --
NTSB Notification Time --
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information --
Date of most recent change to record Aug 23 2013 4:54PM
User who most recently changed record stam
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office --

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N4557F
NTSB Number ANC13CA069
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed VFR
Flight plan Was Activated? Yes
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name CESSNA
Aircraft Model A185E
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number 185-1061
Certified Max Gross Weight 3525
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class --
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 6
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Annual
Date of Last Inspection Feb 1 2013 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection --
Airframe Hours 5630
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated No
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type C126
Aircraft Owner Name NORTHWESTERN AVIATION SERVICES INC
Aircraft Owner Street Address --
Aircraft Owner City KOTZEBUE
Aircraft Owner State AK
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 99752-1010
Operator is an individual? No
Operator Name NORTHWESTERN AVIATION SERVICES INC
Operator Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address --
Operator City KOTZEBUE
Operator State AK
Operator Country USA
Operator Zip code 99752-1010
Operator Code FWHC
Owner has at least one certificate Yes - certificate holder
Other Operator of large aircraft? No
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Instructional
Second Pilot on Board Yes
Departure Point Same as Event Yes
Departure Airport Code --
Departure City Kotzebue
Departure State AK
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 1737
Departure Time Zone ADT
Destination Same as Local Flt crash at destination city
Destination Airport Code --
Destination City Kotzebue
Destination State AK
Destination Country USA
Specific Phase of Flight --
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Aug 23 2013 5:00PM
User who most recently changed record stam
Since inspection or accident Last Inspection
Event Location Runway Number and Location N/A
Runway Length --
Runway Width --
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --