# NTSB ANC85IA172: Cessna C-172P, N65798, Scammon Bay, AK, September 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1985, 16:36 local (Sep 6, 1985, 00:36 UTC)
- Place: Scammon Bay, AK
- Coordinates: 61.790847, -165.960983 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.7908&lon=-165.9610&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4431
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85IA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4431/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85IA172

## 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 - high wind (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (cause)
  - stall/mush - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ELECTED TO TAKEOFF FROM THE TAXIWAY BECAUSE IT ALIGNED INTO THE WIND. AFTER TAKEOFF AND ACCELERATING TO CLIMB AIRSPEED, THE AIRPLANE'S CONTROLS FELT MUSHY AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND ON THE ROAD/TAXIWAY. PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, A GUST OF WIND FORCED THE PILOT TO LAND IN A SWAMPY LAKE CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO NOSE OVER. THERE IS NO WEATHER REPORTING FACILITY LOCATED AT SCAMMON BAY, ALASKA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65798](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N65798), registered now, S/N 17275894, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C-172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17275894
- Airframe hours: 1885
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-025 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Village Aviation, doing business as Camai Air
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 4, 1985, 2 hours before
- Departed: SCM, SCAMMON BAY, AK
- Destination: BET, BETHEL, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: SCM, Scammon Bay

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,326 total, 519 in this make and model, 321 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 35 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 43 °F

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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