# NTSB ANC88LA003: Cessna 172, N3128L, 45 Nw Anchorage, AK, October 3, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 3, 1987, 15:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: 45 Nw Anchorage, AK
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4966
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4966/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA003

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel system - exhaustion (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - tundra (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE BELIEVED HE RAN OUT OF FUEL DURING THE IFR FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3128L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3128L-2013-06-06), registration cancelled 2013-06-06, S/N 17253946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17253946
- Airframe hours: 1965
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard L. Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1987, 100 hours before
- Departed: OME, NOME, AK
- Destination: ANC, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,581 total, 650 in this make and model, 6,039 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 36 °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 19871003059519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871003059519A), Oct 3, 1987: Cessna 172G, Skwentna, AK, Substantial damage. Fuel exhaustion. Emergency landing on the tundra. After touchdown aircraft nosed over. No IFR fuel reserve plan.

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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