# NTSB ANC83LA026: Cessna 140, N4269N, Near Palmer, AK, December 21, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 21, 1982, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Near Palmer, AK
- Coordinates: 61.619041, -148.980072 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6190&lon=-148.9801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 21, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71910
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83LA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71910/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA026

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKING OFF FROM A FROZEN LAKE, THE PILOT TURNED LEFT TO PARALLEL A FOG BANK OVER THE KNIK RIVER. HE STATED THAT WHILE CLIMBING, THE ENGINE DID NOT QUIT, BUT THE PROPELLER LOST THRUST, AND HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. HE STATED THAT HE HAD ROLL CONTROL, SOME RUDDER CONTROL, BUT HARDLY ANY ELEVATOR CONTROL. REPORTEDLY, THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED IN A 15 DEG NOSE LOW ATTITUDE WHILE INDICATING 60 MPH. ALL OF THE FLIGHT CONTROLS FUNCTIONED NORMALLY WHEN CHECKED AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4269N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4269N), registered now, S/N 13740, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 140
- Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 13740
- Airframe hours: 2700
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bruce W. Edwards
- Registered owner: Bruce W. Edwards
- Departed: NEAR PALMER, AK
- Destination: C, WASILLA, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 110 total, 40 in this make and model, 60 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Temperature: 32 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19821221070009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821221070009A), Dec 21, 1982: Cessna 140, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. Not clearly defined but indicates pilot stalled aircraft attempting to avoid a fogbank after takeoff.

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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