# NTSB ANC21LA010: Cessna 172R, N949AF, Hope, AK, December 31, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 31, 2020, 14:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Hope, AK - Coordinates: 60.90678, -149.62317 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.9068&lon=-149.6232&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Mrzena - NTSB case key (mKey): 102493 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC21LA010 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102493/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA010 ## Probable cause The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. A factor was the certified flight instructor’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 40 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Cessna 172R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=2072401), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) ## Analysis During an instructional flight, prior to landing, the pilots over flew the runway at pattern altitude to assess the runway conditions. The runway was observed snow-covered and appeared to have “recent tire track marks down the center of the runway”. The pilots chose to attempt a landing; however, during the touchdown, on the snow-covered runway, the main landing gear dug into the snow and the airplane decelerated rapidly. Subsequently, the nose-wheel entered the snow, “pivoting the airplane onto the nose”, and both wingtips struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport supplement remarks state: “Unattended. Be alert rwy condition not monitored. Recommend visual inspection prior to landing.” The flight instructor added that this accident could have been prevented by calling the airport and inquiring about the condition of the runway before the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N949AF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N949AF-2022-07-30), registration cancelled 2022-07-30, S/N 17280449, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172R - Registry model: [Cessna 172R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172r) (registry code 2072401) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17280449 - Year built: 1998 - Engines: LYCOMING I0360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Elmendorf Air Force Base Aero Club - Registered owner: Elmendorf Air Force Base Aero Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Departed: JLA, Cooper Landing, AK - Destination: PAED, Anchorage, AK - Flight plan: Military VFR - Airport: 5HO, Hope, runway 35, 2,040 × 60 ft, gravel - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 23, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 254 total, 170 in this make and model, 208 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours - Flight instructor; age 36; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 31, 2020; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 668 total, 186 in this make and model, 582 as pilot in command, 104 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 350° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 16 °F, dew point 10 °F - Altimeter: 29.71 inHg - Observed at: PANC, 20 nm away - METAR: PANC 312353Z 35004KT 10SM FEW200 M09/M12 A2971 RMK AO2 SLP063 4/016 I6000 T10891117 11078 21100 56014 ## 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 20201231016119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20201231016119A), Dec 31, 2020: Cessna 172R, Hope, AK, Substantial damage. During a commercial certificate instruction flight under a part 141 curriculum and club aircraft, a landing was attempted on a snow covered runway. The… 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.