# NTSB ANC01LA064: Cessna 172P, N98426, Anchorage, AK, May 21, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 20, 2001, 17:10 local (May 21, 2001, 01:10 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.189445, -149.950561
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1894&lon=-149.9506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 21, 2002
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 53196
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC01LA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53196/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA064

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable taxi area during taxi.  A factor associated with the accident was a tree.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The solo certificated private pilot was taxiing for departure when he inadvertently entered a roadway adjacent to the active taxiway.  The right wing subsequently struck a large birch tree, and sustained substantial damage.

## Factual narrative

On May 20, 2001, about 1710 Alaska daylight time, a wheel-equipped Cessna 172P airplane, N98426, sustained substantial damage while taxiing for takeoff at the Lake Hood Strip, Anchorage, Alaska.  The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) positioning flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred.  The airplane was operated by the Civil Air Patrol Inc., Elmendorf AFB, Anchorage.  The private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on June 6,  the Civil Air Patrol's safety officer reported that as the accident pilot was taxiing for departure from the Civil Air Patrol's maintenance hangar, en route to the active runway, he inadvertently entered a roadway adjacent to the active taxiway.  The right wing subsequently struck a large birch tree, and sustained substantial damage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N98426](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N98426), registered now, S/N 17276290, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17276290
- Airframe hours: 3684.4
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 9, 2001, 2.3 hours before
- Departed: Z41, Anchorage, AK
- Destination: Z41, Anchorage, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Z41, Lake Hood Strip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,016 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20010520039659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010520039659A), May 20, 2001: Cessna 172P, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was taxiing from cap. Hanger to lake Hood strip. Pilot got lost, while turning aircraft around wing struck a tree.

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.

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