# Accident 20180724017759A: Cessna 172, Meadow Lakes, AK, July 24, 2018

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 24, 2018, 17:30 local time
- Place: Meadow Lakes, AK
- Airport: North Cubs Strip
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 61.6300° N, 149.6825° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6300&lon=-149.6825&mi=10
- Aircraft: N171Q, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N171Q) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172 (registry code 2072402, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG (registry code 99999, https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-360 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 2,200 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA18CA454](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA454) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180724017759A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

AT 1730 LOCAL THE PILOT DEPARTED THE NORTH CUBS AIRSTRIP (8AK8) NEAR WASILLA, ALASKA ON A VFR FLIGHT TO THE OCEAN VIEW AIRSTRIP (AK12) ANCHORAGE, ALASKA.

AFTER SELECTING THE INCORRECT FUEL TANK

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER HIS DEPARTURE FROM 8AK8, HIS AIRCRAFT HAD A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER FOLLOWED BY TOTAL POWER FAILURE.

HE IMMEDIATELY SWITCHED TANKS BUT HIS ATTEMPTS TO RESTART WERE UNSUCCESSFUL.

HE SHARED THAT HE CONFIGURED FOR BEST GLIDE AND COMMITTED HIMSELF TO LAND IN THE SUSITNA RIVER. THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

THE PILOT EXPLAINED THAT HE WAS NOT INJURED, AND WAS THE SOLE OCCUPANT ONBOARD WITH HIS DOG.

THE PILOT SAID THAT TO PREVENT THE AIRCRAFT FROM BEING PUSHED DOWN RIVER  RISKING MORE DAMAGE, HE ELECTED TO REMOVE THE AIRCRAFT FROM THE RIVER.  HE HIKED OUT OF THE AREA, CONTACTED HIS FRIEND AND WITH HIS FRIENDS ASSISTANCE PULLED THE AIRCRAFT TO THE SHORE, DISASSEMBLED, AND TRAILERED IT TO THE FRIENDS HANGAR WHERE IT REMAINS TO DATE.

TWO DAYS FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT THE PILOT CONTACTED THE NTSB TO REPORT THE ACCIDENT. HE NOTED THAT HIS DELAY IN REPORTING WAS MAINLY BECAUSE OF BEING DISTRAUGHT BY WHAT HAPPENED AND THAT HE WAS NOT SURE HOW TO HANDLE IT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB GAA18CA454](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA454), Jul 25, 2018: Cessna 172 (N171Q), Meadow Lakes, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s selection of the wrong fuel tank for departure, which resulted in fuel starvation and the subsequent total loss of engine power.

## Other reports on N171Q (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20220807014219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220807014219A), Aug 7, 2022: Cessna 172 (N171Q), Mccarthy, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot states it was an off-field departure from smooth, slightly-sloping tundra area on approximately 1500'X500' mesa top at 5,400 feet elevation. Take-off…
- [Accident 19980612020639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980612020639A), Jun 12, 1998: Cessna 172 (N171Q), Angoon, AK, Substantial damage. Crashed on a beach takeoff. Rolled left on liftoff. Settled into mud and nosed over. Premature lift an p factor. (.4)the certificated private pilot was…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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