# NTSB ANC88FA065: Cessna 172N, N3327E, Hatcher Pass, AK, June 2, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 1, 1988, 19:05 local (Jun 2, 1988, 03:05 UTC)
- Place: Hatcher Pass, AK
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4957
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88FA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4957/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88FA065

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED AT THE 3100 FOOT LEVEL OF A MOUNTAIN PASS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED BY GROUND IMPACT AND FIRE, AND THE PILOT AND THE TWO PASSENGERS WERE FATALLY INJURED. WITNESSES NEAR THE CRASH SITE STATED THE AIRCRAFT WAS MANEUVERING VERY LOW ABOVE THE GROUND JUST BEFORE THE CRASH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3327E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3327E-2013-04-16), registration cancelled 2013-04-16, S/N 17271504, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17271504
- Airframe hours: 5956
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph Wilbur
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 7, 1988, 30 hours before
- Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 233 total, 11 in this make and model, 182 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19880601017549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880601017549A), Jun 1, 1988: Cessna 172N, Hatcher Pass, AK, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Seen flying low up a Pass. Appears aircraft impacted ground from a stall while trying to outclimb rising terrain.

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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