# NTSB ANC87LA040: Cessna 170B, N4687C, Anchorage, AK, February 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 23, 1987, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Location: 61.1866° N, 149.9654° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at LAKE HOOD (LHD), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1866&lon=-149.9654&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4824
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4824/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA040

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - from landing
  - terrain condition - icy (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, taxi - from landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT SUCCESSFULLY LANDED HIS SKI EQUIPPED TAILWHEEL AIRPLANE ON A FROZEN LAKE IN GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS BUT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TAXI FROM UPWIND TO DOWNWIND. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK ITS LEFT WING AND ELEVATOR ON THE LAKE ICE AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4687C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4687C), registered now, S/N 25631, built 1953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B
- Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25631
- Airframe hours: 2487
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Bains-Jordan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 4, 1986, 1,136 hours before
- Departed: KING LAKE, AK
- Destination: ANC, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Airport: LHD, Lake Hood Seaplane

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 550 total, 210 in this make and model, 430 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 25 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 19 °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 19870223003499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870223003499A), Feb 23, 1987: Cessna 170B, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Lost directional control of ski equipped aircraft during taxi on an ice covered surface. Gusty winds a factor.

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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