# NTSB ANC84LA159: Cessna 172E, N5425T, Palmer, AK, September 1, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1984, 09:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Palmer, AK
- Coordinates: 61.619705, -148.980239 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6197&lon=-148.9802&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: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4357
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC84LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4357/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA159

## 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
  - object - tree(s)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - intentional, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS TAKING OFF FROM AN AIRPORT WHICH WAS AN UNIMPROVED FIELD SITE. ACCORDING TO THE PLT THE ACFT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND CLIMB OUT SO HE STALLED INTO THE BRUSH ALONG A CREEK BED. THE PLT SAID THE ACFT HAD DEPARTED THIS FIELD BEFORE BUT BOTH TIMES HAD A MINIMUM LOAD (PLT ONLY). THE PLT SAID HE ELECTED TO CRASH IN THE BRUSH BECAUSE OF A RIDGE AHEAD THAT WAS IN THE FLT PATH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5425T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5425T-1990-08-16), registration cancelled 1990-08-16, S/N 17251325 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172E
- Registry model: [Cessna 172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172e) (registry code 2072412) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17251325
- Airframe hours: 1500
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James Colberg
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1983, 20 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,165 total, 1,220 in this make and model, 2,010 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 19 °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 19840901045499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840901045499A), Sep 1, 1984: Cessna 172E, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. Failed to accelerate and climb out on takeoff to clear rising terrain. Aborted and landed in brush.

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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