# NTSB ANC00LA045: Cessna 150M, N6446K, Chickaloon, AK, April 14, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 14, 2000, 10:25 local (18:25 UTC) - Place: Chickaloon, AK - Coordinates: 61.740325, -148.21994 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.7403&lon=-148.2199&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 48960 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC00LA045 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48960/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA045 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area. Factors associated with the accident were an open service door, and snow-covered terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - door,service - open (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The certificated private pilot reported that while in cruise flight, the oil dip stick access door opened. He said that he elected to land at a snow-covered, nonmaintained airstrip, and close the door. The pilot reported that while landing to the west, the main wheels contacted deep snow on the runway, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and engine firewall assembly. ## Factual narrative On April 14, 2000, about 1025 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 150M airplane, N6446K, sustained substantial damage while landing at Sheep Mountain airstrip, located about 27 miles east of Chickaloon, Alaska, at 61 degrees 48 minutes north latitude, 147 degrees 30 minutes west longitude. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Palmer Municipal Airport, Palmer, about 0930. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on April 14, the pilot reported that he had rented the airplane with the intention of flying from Palmer to the Sheep Mountain area, and return. He added that he had not planned to land at the Sheep Mountain airstrip. He said that after flying over the Sheep Mountain area, and while on his way back to the Palmer Airport, the oil dip stick access door opened. He said that he decided to return to the Sheep Mountain airstrip, close the door, and return to Palmer. The pilot reported that while landing to the west, the main wheels contacted deep snow on the runway, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and engine firewall assembly. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6446K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6446K-2012-02-24), registration cancelled 2012-02-24, S/N 15077707, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150M - Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15077707 - Airframe hours: 8503 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mustang Air, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2000, 23 hours before - Departed: PAQ, PALMER, AK - Airport: SMU, Sheep Mountain, runway 4, 2,270 × 60 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 85 total, 85 in this make and model, 40 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20000414042249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000414042249A), Apr 14, 2000: Cessna 150M, Sheep Mountain, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) On April 14, 2000 while the pilot was flying in the vicinity of Sheep Mountain Alaska the oil access door on the engine cowling of the Cessna 150 came… ## Other investigations on N6446K (2) 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 ANC91LA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA029), Feb 13, 1991: Cessna 150 (N6446K), Palmer, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. - [NTSB ANC83FA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83FA134), Jul 29, 1983: Cessna 150 (N6446K), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.