# NTSB ANC24LA086: Cessna 150H, N41WP, Tok, AK, August 31, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: August 30, 2024, 16:18 local (Aug 31, 2024, 00:18 UTC)
- Place: Tok, AK · 50 miles SW of Tok
- Coordinates: 62.792369, -144.29318
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.7924&lon=-144.2932&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA - Fairbanks
- NTSB case key (mKey): 195032
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC24LA086
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195032/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195032
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA086

## Probable cause

The airplane’s encounter with gusting winds resulting in a loss of altitude with performance insufficient to outclimb terrain.

## Findings

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

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Maneuvering: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150H, 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2071818), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, while flying in a valley, he realized that his airplane did not have the climb performance to clear an upcoming ridgeline. The pilot began a left turn to exit the valley in the direction he had entered. The pilot reported that, during the turn, he encountered a gust of wind that caused his left wing to drop and his rate of turn to increase. During the attempted recovery, the airplane lost altitude and impacted terrain which resulted in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N41WP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N41WP), registered now, S/N 15068019 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150H
- Registry model: [Cessna 150H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150h) (registry code 2071818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15068019
- Airframe hours: 3246.2
- Engines: Continental Engine O-200-A48B 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Montgomery Ryan K
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 2024
- Departed: PAAQ, Palmer, AK
- Destination: PAGK, Gulkana, AK
- Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; injuries: serious; airline transport, military; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 30, 2024; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 935 total, 101 in this make and model, 290 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 9 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 32 °F
- Altimeter: 29.83 inHg
- Observed at: PFTO, 50 nm away
- METAR: PFTO 302356Z AUTO 18006KT 10SM CLR 18/00 A2983 RMK AO2 SLP749 T01830000 10183 20122 58012 $

## 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 20240830013179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240830013179A), Aug 30, 2024: Cessna 150H, Tok, AK, Substantial damage. The aircraft flew into a valley. When the aircraft could not outclimb the terrain ahead a left 180 turn was initiated at 500 feet above ground level. During…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 12, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195032. 2.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17757547&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 734 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17797324&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC24LA086%20Photo%20Array-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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