# NTSB ANC82DAG46: Cessna 172, N53145, Quinhagak, AK, August 25, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1982, 15:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Quinhagak, AK
- Coordinates: 60.810924, -161.850387 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8109&lon=-161.8504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 25, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72331
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC82DAG46
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72331/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DAG46

## 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
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE LANDED ON A GRAVEL BAR ABOUT 900 FT LONG WITH A PASSENGER TO GO FISHING. LATER, HE TOOK OFF TO THE WEST WITH A SLIGHT HEAD WIND. NEAR THE END OF THE GRAVEL BAR WAS A TREE WITH BRANCHES STICKING OUT OF THE WATER. AS THE PILOT TOOK OFF, HE WAS UNABLE TO GAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO CLEAR A BRANCH THAT EXTENDED ABOUT 4 FT OUT OF THE WATER. HE REPORTED THAT THE NOSE GEAR HIT THE BRANCH AND DUMPED THE PLANE INTO THE RIVER. THE PLANE FLOATED FOR A TIME AND THE OCCUPANTS EGRESSED WITHOUT INJURY. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THE PILOT HAD LANDED ON THE GRAVEL BAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53145](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53145-1988-08-19), registration cancelled 1988-08-19, S/N 17274692 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274692
- Airframe hours: 864
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Coastal Avia.
- Registered owner: Coastal Avia.
- Departed: BETHEL, AK
- Destination: BETHEL, AK
- Airport: Quinhagak

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,255 total, 375 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 270 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 131 °F

## 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 19820825043629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820825043629A), Aug 25, 1982: Cessna 172P, Quinhagak, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted takeoff from sandbar in river. Aircraft nose wheel struck swag which caused it to flip inverted.

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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