# NTSB ANC90LA028: Cessna 182, N8849T, Chakachamna Lk, AK, December 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 8, 1989, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Chakachamna Lk, AK
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5334
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5334/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA028

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION OF THE TAKEOFF AREA BY THE PILOT, AND HIS ATTEMPT TO TAKE OFF ON UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. THE SOFT/SNOW COVERED TERRAIN WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
- Nose down, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE ACDNT OCCURRED AS THE PLT OF THE SKI EQUIPPED ACFT WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKE OFF FROM AN AREA OF DRIFTED SNOW ON THE SOUTH SHORE OF CHAKACHAMNA LAKE. IN A STATEMENT AFTER THE ACDNT, THE PLT REPORTED HE WAS 'TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF AND ATTEMPTED TAKEOFF, HIT SNOW BANK . . .'  SUBSEQUENTLY, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT & IT SKIDDED TO A STOP ON ITS NOSE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8849T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8849T-2013-07-01), registration cancelled 2013-07-01, S/N 52749, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182c) (registry code 2072708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 52749
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Fauser, Gene C.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Destination: PAQ, PALMER, AK
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; flight hours: 1,600 total, 300 in this make and model, 1,565 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 80 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °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 19891208057259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891208057259A), Dec 8, 1989: Cessna 182C, Chakachamma Lak, AK, Substantial damage. Attempted ski takeoff on snow covered frozen lake struck a snow drift and nosed up. Damaged both wings.

## Other investigations on N8849T (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 ANC90FA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90FA032), Jan 28, 1990: Cessna 182 (N8849T), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION, DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE OBSTRUCTIONS (UTILITY POLE, POWER LINE &…

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.