# NTSB ANC90FA053: Cessna 172-K, N46410, Anchorage, AK, April 12, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1990, 15:47 local (23:47 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.180385, -149.87918 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1804&lon=-149.8792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5291
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90FA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5291/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90FA053

## Probable cause

PILOT-IN-COMMAND USED POOR JUDGEMENT WHEN HE ELECTED TO TAKE OFF ON ROUGH & UNEVEN FROZEN LAKE WHICH RESULTED IN A FAILED NOSE SKI.

## 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)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF TO THE WEST ON A FROZEN LAKE. ICE/SNOW WAS CRUSTY AND ROUGH AT LIFT OFF THE NOSE SKI FAILED AND BEGAN HITTING THE FUSELAGE. THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND STRAIGHT AHEAD. LANDED HIGH ON MAIN WHEEL SKIS. AS NOSE STRUT TOUCHED DOWN IT WENT THROUGH SNOW CRUST & COLLAPSED. A/C STOPPED ON ITS NOSE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46410](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N46410), registered now, S/N 17257249 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172-K
- 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: 17257249
- Airframe hours: 3158
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Frank Pinkerton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 19, 1989, 33 hours before
- Airport: WEST, Lake Hood, runway 27, ice

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,700 total, 900 in this make and model, 4,650 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ANC, 1 nm away

## 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 19900412008469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900412008469A), Apr 12, 1990: Cessna 172K, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Took off on rough melting lake ice on skis. Ski broke on liftoff,landed straight ahead nose fork broke thru ice.

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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