# NTSB ANC89LA159: Cessna 172H, N2459L, Sparrevohn, AK, September 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1989, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Sparrevohn, AK
- Coordinates: 61.159816, -149.990585 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1598&lon=-149.9906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5255
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5255/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA159

## Probable cause

THE BUCKET WHICH WAS BLOWN INTO THE FLIGHT PATH BY A CROSSWIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - crosswind (cause)
  - object - other (cause)

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF FROM A GRAVEL BAR, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A PLASTIC BUCKET THAT WAS BLOWN INTO ITS PATH BY A CROSSWIND. THE BUCKET STRUCK THE LEFT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER AS THE AIRPLANE WAS ABOUT TO LIFT-OFF. THE PILOT CONTINUED THE FLIGHT WITH NO DIFFICULTY, BUT AFTER LANDING, AN EXAM OF THE STABILIZER REVEALED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2459L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2459L), registered now, S/N 17255659, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172H
- 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: 17255659
- Airframe hours: 4196
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2G 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Jayhawk Air
- Registered owner: Wade C. Strahan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 31, 1989, 87 hours before
- Destination: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,900 total, 840 in this make and model, 1,820 as pilot in command, 340 in the last 90 days, 97 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19890901033659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890901033659A), Sep 1, 1989: Cessna 172H, Sparrevohn, AK, Substantial damage. Wind blew plastic bucket into path of aircraft on takeoff from a gravel bar. Bucket damaged horizontal stabilizer.

## Other investigations on N2459L (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 ANC04LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04LA012), Dec 5, 2003: Cessna 172 (N2459L), Chugiak, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing/takeoff area, and his failure to abort the takeoff, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a stump, and subsequent loss of control. Factors…
- [NTSB FTW76FQG37](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW76FQG37), Nov 8, 1975: Cessna 172 (N2459L), Lubbock, TX, 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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