# NTSB ANC85LA114: Cessna 172M, N20541, Theodore River, AK, July 1, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1985, 20:45 local (Jul 1, 1985, 04:45 UTC)
- Place: Theodore River, AK
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (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): 4514
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4514/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA114

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - premature
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff

## Analysis

AFTER LOADING THE ACFT TO ITS MAX GROSS WT, THE PLT INITIATED A TAKEOFF FROM A ROAD ON LEVEL TERRAIN THAT HAD NUMEROUS DIPS & BUMPS. THE ROAD WAS ONLY 11 FT WIDE & WAS BORDERED BY HEAVY BRUSH. THE PLT REPORTED THAT PRIOR TO REACHING THE LIFT-OFF SPEED DURING TAKEOFF, THE ACFT WENT OVER A HUMP IN THE ROAD & BECAME AIRBORNE. IT DRIFTED SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT & THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR CONTACTED BRUSH, THEN THE PLANE YAWED & ROLLED TO THE RIGHT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT SETTLED BACK TO THE ROAD & BRUSH, SLID INTO A DITCH, ENCOUNTERED SOFT TUNDRA & NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20541](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N20541), registered now, S/N 17261378 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17261378
- Airframe hours: 5506
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Kenneth D. Triplett
- Registered owner: Kenneth D. Triplett
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 1, 1985, 20 hours before
- Destination: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,235 total, 159 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 224 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 46 °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 19850630031439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850630031439A), Jun 30, 1985: Cessna 172M, Theodore River, AK, Substantial damage. Lost control during takeoff roll from gravel road. A wheel contacted brush and soft tundra and aircraft flipped.

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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