# NTSB ANC02LA105: Cessna 172H, N3752F, Fairbanks, AK, August 27, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 27, 2002, 11:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 64.813888, -147.918609 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8139&lon=-147.9186&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 29, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Fairbanks FSDO-01 - NTSB case key (mKey): 55587 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC02LA105 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55587/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA105 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the airplane exiting the runway and colliding with objects. Factors contributing to the accident were the rough and uneven runway, and the premature lift-off of the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - runway - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted - object - vehicle - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, the tailwheel-equipped airplane encountered a bump in the runway, and became airborne prematurely. He said as the airplane descended to the runway, it yawed to the left, and when it touched down, it went off the left side of the runway. The pilot pulled the power off to abort the takeoff; however, the airplane subsequently struck a parked vehicle and trees. ## Factual narrative On August 27, 2002, about 1115 Alaska daylight time, N3752F, a Cessna 172 airplane converted to a tailwheel configuration, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain and objects during an aborted takeoff at the Chena Marina Airstrip, Fairbanks, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private pilot and the one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight was bound for a remote airstrip at Lake Minchumina, Alaska. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on August 27, the pilot said during the takeoff roll on runway 36, the airplane "hit a bump," and prematurely became airborne. He said the airplane descended to the runway, but while airborne yawed to the left. He reported that after touching down the airplane exited the runway to the left. He said he had pulled the power off when the airplane touched down, but it was too late. He said the airplane collided with a truck parked alongside the runway, and then continued into a wooded area. He said the fuselage went between several trees which severed the wings from the airplane. The pilot said there were no known mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3752F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3752F), registered now, S/N 17255247 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172H - Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17255247 - Airframe hours: 4037 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 17, 2001, 34 hours before - Departed: AK28, Fairbanks, AK - Destination: PAMH, Lake Minchumina, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: AK28, Chena Marina, runway 36, 4,700 × 80 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 22, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 472 total, 382 in this make and model, 410 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: PAFA ## 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 20020827022169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020827022169A), Aug 27, 2002: Cessna 172H, Fairbanks, AK, No damage. (-23) Pilot failed to maintain directional control during takeoff roll. Aircraft exited the left side of the gravel runway, skidding, struck a parked vehicle… ## Other investigations on N3752F (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 ANC89FA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89FA028), Dec 30, 1988: Cessna 172 (N3752F), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC73DAG10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC73DAG10), Jul 23, 1972: Cessna 172H (N3752F), Palmer, 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.