Cessna 170B accident near Chugiak, Alaska, October 11, 1991
On October 11, 1991 at about 2:00 am local time, a Cessna 170B, registered N4606C, was substantially damaged in an accident near Chugiak, Alaska (Birchwood airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE TAKEOFF RUN.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 11, 1991 · about 2:00 am local time
- Place
- Chugiak, Alaska · Birchwood · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 170B · all 170Bs on the register
- Registration
- N4606C · no longer on the register · serial 25550
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE STUDENT PILOT WAS PRACTICING SOLO TAKEOFF AND LANDINGS WITH THE INSTRUCTOR SUPERVISING FROM THE RAMP. AFTER A NUMBER OF TAKEOFF AND LANDINGS, THE STUDENT PILOT TAXIED TO THE INSTRUCTOR'S LOCATION AND THE INSTRUCTOR THEN TOLD HIM TO CONTINUE PRACTICING. THE STUDENT PILOT TAXIED TO THE RUNWAY AND BEGAN HIS TAKEOFF ROLL. THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE AFTER ONLY A PARTIAL POWER APPLICATION BY THE PILOT AND BEGAN TO VEER TO THE LEFT AND HE APPLIED RIGHT RUDDER. HE STATED THE AIRPLANE DID NOT RESPOND AND HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF BY REDUCING THE THROTTLE. HE STATED HE FAILED TO REMOVE THE RIGHT RUDDER AND THE AIRPLANE IMMEDIATELY MADE A SHARP RIGHT TURN. THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE RUNWAY AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 38 hours in all; 38 in this make and model; 38 in the last 90 days; 38 in the last 30 days; 8 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 5, 1990; 78 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-340-A1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Z15 at 9:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 1, 4,000 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 39°F (4°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N4606C the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.