Cessna 170B accident near Chugiak, AK
On April 23, 2006, a Cessna 170B (airplane) was involved in an accident near Chugiak, AK. 5 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- April 23, 2006
- Place
- Chugiak, AK
- Aircraft
- Cessna 170B · Airplane
- Injuries
- 5 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 61.500°N, 149.553°W
- NTSB ID
- 20060427X00489
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 23, 2006, about 1158 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Cessna 170B airplane, N4488B, and a wheel-equipped Cessna 172 airplane, N5049A, collided in midair, approximately 7 miles north-northwest of Chugiak, Alaska. Both airplanes were being operated as visual flight rules (VFR) personal flights under Title 14, CFR Part 91, in visual meteorological conditions when the accident occurred. The certificated airline transport pilot, and the three passengers aboard the Cessna 170B, sustained fatal injuries. The sole occupant of the Cessna 172, a certificated commercial pilot, also sustained fatal injures. Both airplanes were destroyed during the collision, uncontrolled descent, and impact with tidal mud flats. Both airplanes were based at the Birchwood Airport, Chugiak. The Cessna 170B departed from the Birchwood Airport about 1153, and a VFR flight plan was filed for the flight to Talkeetna, Alaska. The Cessna 172 departed from the Birchwood Airport at an unknown time, for a local area flight. During on-scene interviews with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on April 23, witnesses reported that they observed the Cessna 170B traveling north-northwest, between 1,500 and 2,000 feet msl, and a Cessna 172 traveling in a southwesterly direction. About 30 seconds later, the witnesses described hearing a "loud explosion" which directed their attention almost directly overhead. The witnesses reported seeing both airplanes entwined, descending vertically. As their descent continued, they separated, and struck the tida
Probable cause
The inadequate visual lookout by the pilots of both airplanes during cruise flight, which resulted in their failure to see-and-avoid each other, and a subsequent midair collision.
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Browse: Alaska · Cessna aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
