# NTSB ANC87LA056: Cessna 152, N67767, Nikolai, AK, March 30, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 30, 1987, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Nikolai, AK
- Location: 63.0076° N, 154.3762° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Nikolai, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.0076&lon=-154.3762&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4838
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4838/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA056

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper use of procedure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS ON A SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT WHEN HE REPORTED THAT HE WAS LOST AND LOW ON FUEL. HE ATTEMPTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING BUT CRASHED 200 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS OUT OF FUEL AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N67767](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N67767-1989-03-21), registration cancelled 1989-03-21, S/N 15282007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15282007
- Airframe hours: 3034
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: U.S. Army, doing business as Ft. Waywright Flying Club
- Registered owner: Henry M. Hills
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 13, 1986, 90 hours before
- Departed: FBK, FAIRBANKS, AK
- Destination: 5NI, NIKOLIAN, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 53 total, 53 in this make and model, 36 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 30 °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 19870330007869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870330007869A), Mar 30, 1987: Cessna 152, Nikolai, AK, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel exhaustion. Student was lost and attempting to land, but did not make it to the runway.

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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