# NTSB ANC84FA036: Cessna 172N, N734LX, Anchorage, AK, February 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1984, 14:01 local (18:01 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.220737, -149.850677 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2207&lon=-149.8507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4190
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC84FA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4190/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84FA036

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command
- Forced landing, landing
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT AFTER TAKING OFF, THE ACFT CLIMBED TO ABOUT 50 FT AGL, THEN 'DIDN'T HAVE ANY POWER TO GAIN ANY ALT.' HE BEGAN SHALLOW TURNS, THEN THE ACFT ENTERED A SPIN & CRASHED. SEVERAL MINOR DISCREPANCIES WERE NOTED, BUT NO REASON FOR A LOSS OF POWER WAS FOUND. THE ACFT WAS ESTIMATED TO BE APRX 138 LBS ABOVE ITS MAX GROSS WT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N734LX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N734LX-1985-10-23), registration cancelled 1985-10-23, S/N 17268948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17268948
- Airframe hours: 1240
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Delaire Charter Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 11, 1984, 152 hours before
- Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Destination: BET, BETHEL, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MRI, Merrill Field, runway 24, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 200 total, 125 in this make and model, 170 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRI

## 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 19840220004149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840220004149A), Feb 20, 1984: Cessna 172N, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Stalled and spun in when engine quit on takeoff. Was out of annual. Loose mag wire, possible over gross weight.

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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