# NTSB ANC90LA166: Cessna 172M, N6523H, Anchorage, AK, September 30, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1990, 05:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.220378, -149.850616 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2204&lon=-149.8506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5446
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5446/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA166

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT DUE TO CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL, AND HIS IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - intentional, pilot in command
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS TAKEN WITHOUT PERMISSION BY THE PILOT FROM A FLYING SCHOOL AT THE LOCAL AIRPORT.  IT WAS OBSERVED FLYING LOW OVER THE DOWNTOWN AREA OF ANCHORAGE AT AN ESTIMATED ALTITUDE OF 10 TO 40 FT AGL.  THE PILOT REPORTED THE AIRCRAFT RAN OUT OF FUEL & CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA.  A CHECK OF THE PILOT'S BLOOD SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LEVEL 219 MG/DL (0.219%).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6523H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6523H-2013-07-23), registration cancelled 2013-07-23, S/N 17265473, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17265473
- Airframe hours: 2420
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Louis Pickens
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 29, 1990, 25 hours before
- Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 145 total, 10 in this make and model, 100 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 7 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ANC, 3 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 19900930043419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900930043419A), Sep 30, 1990: Cessna 172M, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Intoxicated pilot took a stolen aircraft on a low level flight over city and crashed it into trees.

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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