NYC00LA072

Factual narrative

On February 5, 2000, about 1500 Eastern Standard Time, a Piper PA-24, N6577P, was substantially damaged during takeoff from Alton Bay Seaplane Base (B18), Alton Bay, New Hampshire. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that he departed runway 01, a 3,500 foot long "ice runway." He reported that during the takeoff, the airplane "pulled to the left," and he applied full right rudder to "straighten out the path." After rotation, the airplane impacted a snow bank and the pilot "lost all control of the plane." The pilot stated he did not receive a weather briefing prior to his departure; however, he reported "swirly, gusty winds" at the airport. Witnesses at the airport reported that the airplane's takeoff roll was much shorter than other airplanes. Approximately 20 feet off the ground, the airplane "bobbled, stalled, and descended rapidly," impacting a snow bank to the left of the runway. According to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, the left wing of the airplane was destroyed; however, it remained attached to the fuselage. The right wing and the firewall were buckled, and both fuel tanks were intact and contained fuel. The winds reported at an airport 20 miles away were from a heading of 300 at 12 knots. The pilot departed runway 01, an ice runway. During the takeoff, the airplane pulled to the left, and the pilot applied full right rudder to 'straighten out the path.' After rotation, the airplane impacted a snow bank and the pilot 'lost all control of the plane.' The pilot did not receive a weather briefing prior to his departure; however, he reported 'swirly, gusty winds' at the airport. Witnesses at the airport reported that the airplane's takeoff roll was much shorter than other airplanes. Approximately 20 feet off the ground, the airplane 'bobbled, stalled, and descended rapidly,' impacting a snow bank to the left of the runway. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12