# NTSB ANC90FA111: Cessna 170B, N3261A, Anchorage, AK, July 4, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1990, 09:36 local (17:36 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.219573, -149.850784 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2196&lon=-149.8508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5300
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90FA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5300/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90FA111

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED ON INITIAL CLIMBOUT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE INTIAL CLIMBOUT HE STALLED THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3261A (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25905
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ronald Smith
- Registered owner: Ronald Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MRI, Merrill Field, runway 33, 2,670 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 458 total, 380 in this make and model, 420 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19900704023269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900704023269A), Jul 4, 1990: Cessna 170B, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Stalled and crashed off side of runway after liftoff.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.
