# NTSB ANC04LA012: Cessna 172, N2459L, Chugiak, AK, December 5, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 5, 2003, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Chugiak, AK - Coordinates: 61.333332, -148.983337 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.3333&lon=-148.9833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58436 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC04LA012 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58436/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04LA012 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing/takeoff area, and his failure to abort the takeoff, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a stump, and subsequent loss of control. Factors associated with the accident were snow-covered terrain and a stump. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - climb - not attained - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - object - other (contributing factor) - aborted takeoff - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - weak ice ## Analysis The solo pilot reported that during touchdown on the snow-covered, 1,000 foot long by 30 foot wide airstrip, the main wheels contacted deeper snow than he had anticipated. The pilot said that before departing, he taxied the airplane back-and-forth on the airstrip to pack the snow to provide a suitable takeoff surface. He indicated that the departure end of the airstrip extended to the shoreline of a lake, which was covered with a thin layer of ice. During the takeoff run, the airplane's acceleration was hindered due to deep and loose snow on the surface of the airstrip. Nearing the end of the airstrip, the airplane lifted off, but would not climb. The airplane passed over the departure end of the airstrip, and the nose wheel struck a large stump that was located on the beach, between the end of the airstrip and the shoreline of the lake. After the collision, the airplane descended onto the surface of the ice-covered lake, approximately 70 feet from the shoreline, and broke through the ice. Prior to the airplane sinking, the pilot swam to shore. The pilot said that prior to the sinking, he saw structural damage to the airplane's wings and empennage. He stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On December 5, 2003, about 1500 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Cessna 172 airplane, N2459L, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a log and a partially frozen lake during takeoff from Bold Airstrip, located about 14 miles southeast of Chugiak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo commercial certificated pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight that originated from Merrill Field Airport, Anchorage, Alaska, about one hour prior to the accident. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on December 7, the pilot reported that he had not planned to land anywhere before returning to Anchorage, however, about one hour after departure, he elected to land at the Bold Airstrip before returning to Anchorage. The pilot reported that during touchdown on the snow-covered, 1,000 foot long by 30 foot wide airstrip, the main wheels contacted deeper snow than he had anticipated, and the airplane had a very short ground roll. He said that before departing, he taxied the airplane back-and-forth on the airstrip to pack the snow to provide a suitable takeoff surface. He indicated that the departure end of the airstrip extended to the shoreline of Eklutna Lake, which was covered with a thin layer of ice. The pilot said that during the takeoff run, the airplane's acceleration was hindered due to deep and loose snow on the surface of the airstrip. Nearing the end of the airstrip, the airplane lifted off, but would not climb. He said that as the airplane passed over the end of the airstrip, the nose wheel struck a large stump that was located on the beach, between the end of the airstrip and the shoreline of Eklutna Lake. After the collision, the airplane descended onto the surface of the ice-covered lake, approximately 70 feet from the shoreline, and broke through the ice. Prior to the airplane sinking, the pilot swam to shore. The pilot said that prior to the sinking, he saw structural damage to the airplane's wings and empennage. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2459L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2459L), registered now, S/N 17255659, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - 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: 17255659 - Airframe hours: 5494.7 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Wade C. Strahan - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 13, 2003, 4.3 hours before - Departed: MRI, Anchorage, AK - Destination: MRI - Airport: A13, Bold Airstrip, runway 32, 1,000 × 30 ft, snow ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review August 6, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 3,330 total, 1,394 in this make and model, 3,248 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 4 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: 10 °F, dew point 14 °F - Altimeter: 29.35 inHg ## 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 20031205033739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031205033739A), Dec 5, 2003: Cessna 172H, Chugiak, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) On December 05, 2003, about 1500 local time, a Cessna 172, N2459L, sustained substantial damage, and then sank into eklutna lake when it collided with a… ## Other investigations on N2459L (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 ANC89LA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA159), Sep 1, 1989: Cessna 172H (N2459L), Sparrevohn, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE BUCKET WHICH WAS BLOWN INTO THE FLIGHT PATH BY A CROSSWIND. - [NTSB FTW76FQG37](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW76FQG37), Nov 8, 1975: Cessna 172 (N2459L), Lubbock, TX, 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.