# NTSB ANC89LA146: Cessna 172, N78254, Eureka Lodge, AK, August 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 19, 1989, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Eureka Lodge, AK
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5243
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5243/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA146

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE HUMP (UNEVEN SURFACE) ON THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose gear collapsed, landing
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THERE WAS A HUMP ON THE LANDING STRIP. HE STATED THAT DRG A LANDING, 'IT CAUGHT THE MAIN LANDING GEAR CAUSING THE PLANE TO BOUNCE AND COME DOWN TOO HARD ON (THE) FRONT LANDING GEAR CAUSING IT TO FAIL.'  THE COWLING, CARB HEAT BOX, MUFFLER & ONE WING TIP WERE ALSO DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N78254](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N78254), registered now, S/N 17257547, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 57547
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rasmussen, Willard
- Registered owner: Rasmyssen, Williard N
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: NONE, TYONE CREEK, AK
- Airport: NONE, Eureka, runway 9, 2,400 × 50 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 76; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,017 total, 1,017 in this make and model, 1,013 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19890819030539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890819030539A), Aug 19, 1989: Cessna 172K, Eureka, AK, Substantial damage. Struck a bump on the sod runway while landing causing nose gear to collapse and wing damage.

## Other investigations on N78254 (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 ANC01LA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA085), Jul 15, 2001: Cessna 172K (N78254), Wasilla, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff roll.

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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