# NTSB ANC85LA158: Cessna C-172M, N20338, Wasilla, AK, August 4, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1985, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Wasilla, AK
- Location: 61.5785° N, 149.4763° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wasilla, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5785&lon=-149.4763&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4548
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4548/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA158

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - wind information - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - inadvertent use, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND WAS ON A PERSONAL FLIGHT WITH THE PURPOSE OF OBSERVING A HUNTING CAMP FROM THE AIR. WHILE MANEUVERING IN THE CANYON, THE PILOT STATED HE ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT. HE APPLIED FULL POWER AND LOWERED THE FLAPS 20 DEGREES. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO DESCEND AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND ON THE CANYON FLOOR IN THE BRUSH. THE AIRPLANE ROLLED APPROXIMATELY 150 FOOT ON ITS LANDING GEAR BEFORE NOSING OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20338](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20338-1996-07-15), registration cancelled 1996-07-15, S/N 17261202 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C-172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 61202
- Airframe hours: 1809
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Bruce Bell
- Registered owner: Henry Austen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 1985, 80 hours before
- Departed: Z16, WASILLA, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,444 total, 713 in this make and model, 3,216 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 54 °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 19850804042019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850804042019A), Aug 4, 1985: Cessna 172M, Wasilla, AK, Substantial damage. While maneuvering in a canyon,encountered a downdraft and was unable to climb. Flipped over on canyon floor landing

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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