# NTSB ANC87LA024: Cessna 172, N97811, Chena Hot Sprgs, AK, January 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 19, 1987, 14:05 local (18:05 UTC)
- Place: Chena Hot Sprgs, AK
- Location: 65.0531° N, 146.0556° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Chena Hot Springs, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=65.0531&lon=-146.0556&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4815
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4815/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA024

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER TOUCHDOWN ON THE SNOW COVERED AIRSTRIP HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT CAUSING THE PLANE TO GROUNDLOOP.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - airport snow removal - not performed, airport personnel (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N97811](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N97811), registered now, S/N 17276232, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- 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: 17276232
- Airframe hours: 720
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D25 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fort Wainwright Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FBK, FT. WAINWRIGHT, AK
- Destination: CHENA HOT SPRGS, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Chena Hot Springs, runway 30, 3,200 × 60 ft, snow

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,156 total, 16 in this make and model, 949 as pilot in command, 51 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 16 °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 19870119000719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870119000719A), Jan 19, 1987: Cessna 172P, Chena Hot Sprin, AK, Substantial damage. The aircraft ground looped on landing at a snow covered sod airstrip. The pilot misjudged the snow depth.

## Other investigations on N97811 (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX07CA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA007), Oct 6, 2006: Cessna 172P (N97811), Glendale, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: the student's inadequate compensation for the gusting crosswind and inadequate flare that resulted in a hard landing. The certified flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight is also…

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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