# NTSB ANC25LA112: Cessna 172, N4282F, Yakataga, AK, September 22, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 21, 2025, 19:30 local (Sep 22, 2025, 03:30 UTC) - Place: Yakataga, AK - Coordinates: 60.094722, -142.70333 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.0947&lon=-142.7033&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA FSDO - SAIBs cited in the narratives: [SAIB CE-09-35](https://openairdocs.org/saib/CE-09-35) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 201746 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC25LA112 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201746/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201746 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA112 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power due to carburetor icing and the pilot’s failure to effectively use carburetor heat in meteorological conditions conducive to the formation of carburetor icing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Temp/humidity/pressure: conducive to carburetor icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 435 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: conducive to carburetor icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 435 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Engine fuel and control: fuel control/carburetor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 195 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after encountering an unplanned headwind and deteriorating weather conditions with precipitation while enroute, he made the decision to divert to an alternate airport. While approaching his alternate airport, the airplane experienced a reduction in engine RPM, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. The pilot reported that he attempted to troubleshoot by checking that the fuel selector was on “both”, advancing the throttle and mixture to full, applying full carburetor heat; and confirming that the primer was secure; however, this did not result in the return of engine power. The pilot claimed that, at the time of the loss of engine power, both fuel tanks indicated about 8 gallons of fuel remaining. The pilot initiated a forced landing onto coastal sand dunes. The nose landing gear assembly sheared from the fuselage, and the airplane nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to fuselage and wings. The pilot reported that the engine presented no indications of malfunctions or failures prior to the smooth and consistent lowering of the RPM over a 3 -4 second timespan; he stated that it sounded like the engine was running out of fuel. The pilot did not report any preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation and indicted that he was, “unsure of reasons for fuel or air starvation”. According to the Carburetor Icing Probability Chart (FAA SAIB CE-09-35), the atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident were conducive to serious carburetor icing at cruise power. The pilot stated, during a telephonic interview, that he had been operating the airplane with the carburetor heat control knob partially pulled to help regulate the engine’s cylinder temperatures. According to FAA Advisory Circular 20-113, “When [carburetor] icing conditions are present, it is wise to guard against a serious buildup before deicing capability is lost. The use of partial [carburetor] heat for ice prevention without some instrumentation to gauge its effect may be worse than none at all… The use of partial [carburetor] heat when the temperature is below 32° F may, for example, raise the mixture temperature up to the danger range, whereas, full carburetor heat would bring it well above any danger of icing.” Although the pilot reported that he applied full carburetor heat during the decline in engine RPM, it was likely insufficient to melt the ice. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented had he waited to conduct the flight until the weather had improved. According to FAA Advisory Circular 20-113, "To prevent accidents due to induction system icing, the pilot should regularly use [carburetor] heat under conditions known to be conducive to atmospheric icing and be alert at all times for indications of icing in the fuel system." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4282F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4282F), registered now, S/N 46182, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 46182 - Year built: 1958 - Engines: Continental O-300A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: CKU, Cordova, AK - Destination: YAK, Yakutat, AK - Airport: NONE, Beach - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather, Handheld GPS, Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 28, 2025; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,512.8 total, 850 in this make and model, 1,381 as pilot in command, 142 in the last 90 days, 57 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 80° at 10 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,100 ft overcast - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.54 inHg - Observed at: PAYA, 98 nm away - METAR: PAYA 280353Z AUTO 08010G21KT 6SM RA FEW032 OVC041 08/06 A2954 RMK AO2 RAB31 SLP005 P0004 T00830056 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 20250921018309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250921018309A), Sep 21, 2025: Cessna 172, Yakutat, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft was on final to land at a remote airstrip outside of Yakutat, Alaska. At about 250 ft. the engine quit and hit a sand dune that ripped the nose gear… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 22, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=201746. 7.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19936234&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA112%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� email exchange, pilot (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 88 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19936058&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA112%20Pilot%20Emails-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20031660&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA112%20Pilot%20Interview-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, recovery personnel (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 76 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20031079&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA112%20Recovery%20Personnel%20Interview-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records (item 5, PDF, 18 pages, 4.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20525237&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA112%20Maint%20Documents_Redacted-Rel-Rel.pdf - Carburetor icing probability chart (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 470 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20030974&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA112%20Carburetor%20Icing%20Probability%20Graph-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 7, PDF, 3 pages, 334 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20026153&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC25LA112%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. --- 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.