# NTSB ANC90LA008: Cessna 140, N5606C, Fairbanks, AK, November 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 6, 1989, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Fairbanks, AK
- Coordinates: 64.809165, -147.720092 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8092&lon=-147.7201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5319
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5319/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA008

## Probable cause

PILOT'S FAILURE TO ASSURE CONDITION OF RUNWAY PRIOR TO LANDING AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN RUNWAY ALIGNMENT DURING LANDING.

## Analysis

THE PILOT FAILED TO ESTABLISH PROPER RUNWAY ALIGNMENT, AND TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AFTER LANDING AT A PRIVATE AIRPORT. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE LEFT GEAR CONTACTED A SNOW BERM PARALLEL WITH THE RUNWAY, CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO NOSE OVER. THE RUNWAY HAD 12-18 INCHES OF FRESH UNPLOWED SNOW, FOR WHICH NO NOTAM HAD BEEN PUBLISHED.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - berm (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - ice fog (contributing factor)
  - airport snow removal - not performed, airport personnel (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - restricted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5606C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5606C), registered now, S/N 15539, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 140
- Registry model: [Cessna 140A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140a) (registry code 2071604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15539
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Julie H. Collins
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MHM, LAKE MINCHUMINA, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: P11, Phillips Fld, runway 6, 2,500 × 50 ft, snow

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 340 total, 280 in this make and model, 340 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point 5 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAI, 5 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 19891106044569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891106044569A), Nov 6, 1989: Cessna STC140, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Landed close to edge of narrowly plowed runway with new unplowed snow added. Unable to define,runway struck snowbank

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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