# NTSB ANC01LA028: Cessna 172, N19771, Atmautluak, AK, January 3, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 3, 2001, 17:40 local (21:40 UTC) - Place: Atmautluak, AK - Coordinates: 60.866664, -162.277496 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8667&lon=-162.2775&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 20, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 51381 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC01LA028 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51381/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA028 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain a proper glidepath during final approach. A factor associated with the accident was soft terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Gear collapsed, landing - aborted - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis The certificated commercial pilot stated that while on final approach to runway 33, he inadvertently allowed the airplane to descend below his intended glide path. In an attempt to arrest the descent he applied full engine power, but the airplane continued to descend. The airplane inadvertently touched down on the snow-covered approach end of the runway, about 15 yards short of the runway surface. As he attempted to abort the landing, the airplane become airborne, drifted to the left of the runway, and settled into an area of soft snow. During the second touchdown, the nose wheel collapsed at the firewall bulkhead. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine firewall. ## Factual narrative On January 3, 2001, about 1740 Alaska standard time, a wheel-equipped Cessna 172 airplane, N19771, sustained substantial damage during landing at the Atmautluak Airport, Atmautluak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) on-demand passenger flight under Title 14, CFR Part 135, when the accident occurred. The airplane was registered to, and operated by, Village Aviation, Inc., Bethel, Alaska. The certificated commercial pilot, and the two passengers aboard, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the Bethel Airport, Bethel, about 1730. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on January 4, the pilot stated that while on final approach to runway 33, he inadvertently allowed the airplane to descend below his intended glide path. He said that in an attempt to arrest the descent he applied full engine power, but the airplane continued to descend. The airplane inadvertently touched down on the snow-covered approach end of the runway, about 15 yards short of the runway surface. He said that as he attempted to abort the landing, the airplane become airborne, drifted to the left of the runway, and settled into an area of soft snow. During the second touchdown, the nose wheel collapsed at the firewall bulkhead. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine firewall. The pilot reported that wind conditions at the time of the accident were from the northeast at 5 knots. The pilot indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N19771](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N19771), registered now, S/N 17260739, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17260739 - Airframe hours: 4115 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Village Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 27, 2000, 16 hours before - Departed: BET, Bethel, AK - Destination: 4A2, Atmautluak, AK - Flight plan: Company VFR - Airport: 4A2, Atmautluak, runway 33, 2,200 × 30 ft, snow ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review December 6, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 3,256 total, 121 in this make and model, 2,232 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 10° at 5 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: -2 °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 20010103039699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010103039699A), Jan 3, 2001: Cessna 172L, Atmautluak, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) On January 3, 2001, about 1745 Alaska standard time, wheel-equipped Cessna 172, N19771, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain during… ## Other investigations on N19771 (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 ANC80DAG86](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC80DAG86), Jul 15, 1980: Cessna 172 (N19771), Chuathbaluk, 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.