No fatalities

Takeoff Aborted After Evasive Maneuver Leads to Stall and Crash in Kodiak (N176MS)

Kodiak, United States of AmericaTakeoff (climb)

On October 6, 1973, a Grumman G-44 Widgeon (registration N176MS) operated by South Central Airlines - SCA was involved in an aviation accident near Kodiak, United States of America during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot made an evasive maneuver to avoid collision. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot attempted takeoff from Kodiak in fog, performed an evasive maneuver at mid-runway after another aircraft entered the runway, resulting in a stall and crash into a lake. All seven occupants escaped uninjured.

Accident Sequence

The pilot began a takeoff from Kodiak in limited visibility due to fog. At mid-runway, the pilot realized that another pilot had entered the runway. In response, the pilot pulled on the control column to rotate. The twin-engine airplane lifted off but, due to insufficient speed, stalled and crashed into a lake past the runway end. All seven occupants escaped uninjured. The aircraft sustained damage beyond repair.

Conditions

At the time of the accident, visibility was very poor due to fog. Vision was obstructed by an 80-foot rise in elevation at mid-runway, and the pilot was unable to see the taxiing aircraft on the runway.

Probable Cause

According to official findings, the probable cause was the pilot's evasive maneuver to avoid collision. Reported factors included airport conditions (hidden hazard), premature liftoff, failure to obtain flying speed, the presence of another pilot's aircraft, and vision obstruction.