# NTSB ANC82FA102: Cessna 172, N7650G, Near Kotzebue, AK, September 29, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1982
- Place: Near Kotzebue, AK
- Coordinates: 67.239593, -161.190689 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.2396&lon=-161.1907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71885
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC82FA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71885/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82FA102

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear - overload (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS LANDED IN THE TUNDRA FOLLOWING A POWER LOSS RETURNING FROM A SEARCH MISSION. THE LOST PERSON WAS A FRIEND OF THE PILOT OF THIS ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT. POSSIBLY BECAUSE OF THIS THE PILOT SEARCHED LONGER THAN NECESSARY AND RAN OUT OF FUEL ON THE WAY HOME. ALSO THE FUEL TANKS WERE NOT TOPPED OFF PRIOR TO DEPARTURE AND THE PILOT DID NOT TAKE TIME TO VISUALLY CHECK THE TANKS. A LANDING DURING THE SEARCH MISSION WAS MADE AND NO REFUELING WAS ACCOMPLISHED. THE AIRCRAFT HAD FLOWN 5 AND 1/2 HOURS BEFORE HEADING FOR HOME. MAXIMUM RANGE IS 6 HOURS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7650G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7650G-1983-05-20), registration cancelled 1983-05-20, S/N 17259350 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17259350
- Airframe hours: 2501
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Baker Aviation
- Registered owner: Baker Aviation
- Departed: KOTZEBUE, AK
- Destination: KOTZEBUE, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,844 total, 91 in this make and model, 3,637 as pilot in command, 420 in the last 90 days, 122 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 104 °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 19820929051779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820929051779A), Sep 29, 1982: Cessna 172L, Kotzebue, AK, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel during a search mission. Failed to check fuel prior to departure. Crash landed on tundra.

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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