# NTSB ANC00LA111: Cessna 172, N12188, Alexander Creek, AK, August 22, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 21, 2000, 18:30 local (Aug 22, 2000, 02:30 UTC) - Place: Alexander Creek, AK - Coordinates: 55.919181, -159.490554 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.9192&lon=-159.4906&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 50169 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC00LA111 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50169/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA111 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors associated with the accident were gusty winds, and a downdraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach ## Analysis The certificated private pilot reported that he was on a southerly, short final approach to a remote airstrip. When the airplane was about 50 feet above the ground, the wind increased and a strong downdraft pushed the airplane onto the approach end of the airstrip, about 15 yards short of the airstrip surface. He said that the nose wheel struck the ground first, and bounced the airplane into the air. He added that when the airplane settled onto the airstrip, a nose wheel fork broke, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported that wind conditions at the time of the accident were from the southwest, at 4 knots, with gusts to 15 knots, and added that there were storms in the vicinity of the accident airstrip. ## Factual narrative On August 21, 2000, about 1830 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 172 airplane, N12188, sustained substantial damage while on approach to Roy's airstrip, Alexander Creek, Alaska. The private pilot/airplane owner and the one passenger aboard were not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight departed the Lake Hood airstrip, Anchorage, Alaska, about 1800, and the destination was Alexander Creek. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with an NTSB investigator on August 23, the pilot related he and a friend were flying to his cabin located near the Alexander Creek airstrip. He said he thought the winds were fairly calm as he approached to land to the south. While on final approach, about 50 feet above the ground, he said the wind increased and a strong downdraft pushed the airplane onto the approach end of the airstrip, about 15 yards short of the airstrip surface. He said that the nose wheel struck the ground first, and bounced the airplane back into the air. He added that when the airplane settled back onto the airstrip, a nose wheel fork broke, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that wind conditions at the time of the accident were from the southwest, at 4 knots, with gusts to 15 knots, and added that there were storms in the vicinity of the accident airstrip. The pilot indicated that there was no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N12188](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N12188), registered now, S/N 17261871, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17261871 - Airframe hours: 3534 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kris T. Draper - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 16, 2000, 48 hours before - Departed: Z41, LAKE HOOD A/S, AK - Airport: Roy'S Airstrip, runway 21, 1,100 × 50 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 216 total, 148 in this make and model, 140 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 4 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 61 °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 20000821042329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000821042329A), Aug 21, 2000: Cessna 172M, Alexander Creek, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 21, 2000 a wheel equipped Cessna 172, N12188, registered to and piloted by kris t. draper was involved in an aircraft accident at Alexander… 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.