On May 20, 1990, a Cessna C-140 (registration N76607) was involved in an aviation accident near Minto, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A gust of wind during takeoff that caused the aircraft to leave the highway and enter brush while the pilot was attempting to depart after a stop for personal relief. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A student pilot landed an aircraft on a highway to relieve himself. During takeoff, a gust of wind pushed the plane off the road into brush.
What happened
The pilot, who held a student pilot certificate issued on April 3, 1985, was operating a light aircraft. According to records from the Federal Aviation Administration in Oklahoma City, there had been no further flight activity logged under his certificate prior to this incident. The pilot elected to land the aircraft on the Elliot Highway for the purpose of relieving himself.
During the subsequent takeoff attempt from the roadway, a gust of wind affected the aircraft's trajectory. This environmental factor caused the airplane to leave the paved surface and enter adjacent brush. There is no information provided regarding the extent of damage or injuries in this specific account.
The investigation
The available source material does not contain detailed mechanical examination results or technical findings from an official investigation team. The narrative focuses solely on the operational sequence of events leading to the departure from the roadway.
Probable cause
A gust of wind during takeoff that caused the aircraft to leave the highway and enter brush while the pilot was attempting to depart after a stop for personal relief.