# NTSB ANC89FA028: Cessna 172, N3752F, Anchorage, AK, December 30, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 30, 1988, 11:29 local (15:29 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.219913, -149.850234 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2199&lon=-149.8502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5097
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89FA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5097/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89FA028

## 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
  - terrain condition - icy (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - aborted
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE 103 HOUR PRIVATE PILOT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF DEMONSTRATING HIS CESSNA 172 CONVENTIONAL GEAR AIRPLANE (TAIL-DRAGGER) TO A PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER, WHEN HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING AND NOSED-OVER. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD JUST TOUCHED DOWN IN A THREE-POINT ATTITUDE ON HIS FIRST TOUCH AND GO LANDING, WHEN THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO GO THE LEFT. HE CORRECTED TO THE RIGHT, AND THOUGHT HE HAD REGAINED CONTROL, WHEN THE AIRPLANE SUDDENLY VEERED FURTHER TO THE RIGHT. HE ATTEMPTED TO TAKE OFF, BUT WENT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND NOSED-OVER AFTER STRIKING A SNOW BANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3752F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3752F), registered now, S/N 17255247 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17255247
- Airframe hours: 3239
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Orbison, Tom O.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 12, 1988, 40 hours before
- Airport: MRI, Merrill Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 103 total, 78 in this make and model, 68 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FSS

## 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 19881230057109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881230057109A), Dec 30, 1988: Cessna STC172, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Lost directional control of the tailwheel modified 172. Zigzagged, left the runway, hit a snowbank and nosed over.

## Other investigations on N3752F (2)

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 ANC02LA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA105), Aug 27, 2002: Cessna 172H (N3752F), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the airplane exiting the runway and colliding with objects. Factors contributing to the accident were…
- [NTSB ANC73DAG10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC73DAG10), Jul 23, 1972: Cessna 172H (N3752F), Palmer, 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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