# NTSB ANC88DAG02: Cessna 172, N8439X, Willow, AK, January 9, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: January 9, 1988, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Willow, AK
- Coordinates: 61.889373, -149.730926 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.8894&lon=-149.7309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4934
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88DAG02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4934/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88DAG02

## 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
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not possible
  - airport snow removal - initiated, airport personnel
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT IMMEDIATELY UPON TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRPLANE STARTED SINKING IN (TWO FEET) DEEP SNOW, AND CAME TO A STOP IN ABOUT 50 FEET. THE LEFT WING AND PROPELLER STRUCK THE GROUND. THE PLT HAD OVERFLOWN THE ARPT AND SAW THE SNOW REMOVAL EQUIPMENT ABOUT MID-FIELD. HE DECIDED TO LAND SHORT OF THEM. UNFORTUNATELY HE CHOSE THE UNPLOWED END OF THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8439X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8439X), registered now, S/N 17248939, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172c) (registry code 2072408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17248939
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E20 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Alvin L. Ashton
- Registered owner: Alvin L Ashton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 24, 1986
- Departed: Z15, BIRCHWOOD, AK
- Airport: 222, Willow, runway 13, 3,100 × 105 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 115 total, 35 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 10 °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 19880109000349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880109000349A), Jan 9, 1988: Cessna 172C, Willow, AK, Substantial damage. Landed on an unplowed portion of a runway left unplowed for ski equipped aircraft. Nosed up in 2 feet deep snow.

## Other investigations on N8439X (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 ANC75DAG91](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC75DAG91), Jan 31, 1975: Cessna 172 (N8439X), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage

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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