# NTSB ANC24LA015: Cessna R172K, N1258V, Trapper Creek, AK, February 17, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: February 16, 2024, 18:40 local (Feb 17, 2024, 03:40 UTC)
- Place: Trapper Creek, AK
- Coordinates: 62.493162, -150.76918
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.4932&lon=-150.7692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 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: FAA - FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 193818
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC24LA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193818/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193818
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA015

## Probable cause

The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall; loss of airplane control; and impact with terrain.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna R172K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=2072431), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna R172K, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072431), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna R172K, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=2072431), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that after dropping a package while on a low pass, the airplane encountered an aerodynamic stall, contacted brush and trees, and impacted the ground. The airplane came to rest inverted, causing substantial damage to the empennage, elevator, and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1258V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1258V), registered now, S/N R1722154 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA R172K
- Registry model: [Cessna R172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172k) (registry code 2072431) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R1722154
- Airframe hours: 3497
- Engines: Continental IO360K1B 195210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 17, 2023, 2 hours before
- Departed: AQY, Girdwood, AK
- Destination: AQY, Girdwood, AK
- Equipment: Auto-pilot

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 10, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,204 total, 882 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observed at: PATK, 21 nm away
- METAR: PATK 170253Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR M02/M11 A2994 RMK AO2 SLP146 T10171111 55003 TSNO

## 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 20240216009349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240216009349A), Feb 16, 2024: Cessna R172K, Petersville, AK, Substantial damage. Airman was intending to drop a care package at a remote location. Made two passes over the drop location. On the third pass, a drop was made. Preoccupation…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 2, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193818. 11.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 10.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16820284&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 441 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16820802&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC24LA015%20Photos-Rel.pdf

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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