# NTSB ANC87LA075: Cessna 172N, N733UP, Salcha, AK, June 8, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 7, 1987, 18:00 local (Jun 8, 1987, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Salcha, AK
- Coordinates: 64.369918, -146.590805 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.3699&lon=-146.5908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4854
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4854/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA075

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - improper use of procedure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - abort - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - stall - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS INDECISIVE DURING HIS ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF. HE FIRST ELECTED TO ABORT THE EFFORT, THEN CHANGED HIS MIND AND ADDED FULL POWER TO CONTINUE THE TAKE OFF. THE AIRPLANE ROSE A FEW FEET OFF THE RIVER BAR BEFORE STALLING AND CRASHING INTO THE RIVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N733UP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N733UP-1989-03-17), registration cancelled 1989-03-17, S/N 17268561 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17268561
- Airframe hours: 1360
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert Kent Chandler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 4, 1986
- Departed: SALCHA, AK
- Destination: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 162 total, 162 in this make and model, 138 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19870607018979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870607018979A), Jun 7, 1987: Cessna STC172, Salcha, AK, Substantial damage. The aircraft stalled on takeoff from a river gravel bar. The pilot misjudged winds and took off downwind.

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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