Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The commercial pilot was taking off on a passenger flight when the accident occurred. The pilot reported that he lost directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll, and that the airplane went off the left side of the runway and collided with a snowbank. The airplane sustained structural damage to the fuselage aft of the nosewheel. The pilot reported that after exiting the airplane he discovered that the left main landing gear wheel was locked up and that he was unable to rotate the wheel. The director of operations reported that the left main landing gear wheel and assembly was examined by their mechanics and that no mechanical malfunctions were discovered.
Source record
Factual narrative
On January 19, 2010, about 0930 Alaska standard time, a Cessna 172M airplane, N20109, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a snowbank following a loss of control during takeoff at the Bethel Airport, Bethel, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by Yute Air Taxi Inc., Bethel, as Flight 570, a visual flight rules (VFR) passenger flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The commercial pilot and the two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company flight following procedures were in effect. The airplane was bound for Napakiak, Alaska. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on January 19, The Director of Operations for the operator said the pilot told him he lost directional control of the airplane during the takeoff roll, and that the airplane went off the left side of the runway, and collided with a snowbank. The director said the airplane sustained structural damage to the fuselage aft of the nose wheel. He said there were no known mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. In a written statement to the NTSB dated January 20, 2010, the pilot reported that after exiting the airplane he discovered that the left main landing gear wheel was locked up, and he was unable to rotate the wheel. In an email to the NTSB dated February 19, 2010, the director of operations reported that the left main landing gear wheel and assembly had been examined by their mechanics, and no mechanical malfunctions were discovered.