# NTSB ANC91FA014: Cessna 170, N4030V, 40 W Of Clear, AK, November 25, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 25, 1990, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: 40 W Of Clear, AK
- Coordinates: 64.300285, -149.150314 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.3003&lon=-149.1503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5474
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91FA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5474/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91FA014

## Probable cause

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPERATE UNDER VISUAL FLIGHT RULE WHILE IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE WHITEOUT CONDITION CREATED BY THE VAST EXPANSE OF WHITE LAKE SURFACE, AND THE BLOWING SNOW WHICH FURTHER REDUCED THE VISIBILITY.

## 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
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - whiteout (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE AIRPLANE LANDED AT WIEN LAKE AT 1200 ALASKA STANDARD TIME (A.S.T) AND THE WEATHER WAS VERY POOR. WITNESSES DESCRIBED VISIBILITY AS 600 FEET WITH FALLING BLOWING SNOW. THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED WIEN LAKE AT 1330 A.S.T., AND THE WITNESSES AGAIN DESCRIBED THE WEATHER AS VERY POOR. THEY WERE UNABLE TO SEE THE ENTIRE TAKEOFF RUN DUE TO VISIBILITY. THEY HEARD THE ENGINE OPERATING AT WHAT THEY DESCRIBED AS FULL POWER UNTIL THEY HEARD A LOUD THUMP. ALL ENGINE NOISE CEASED AT THAT TIME. THERE IS NO OFFICIAL WEATHER OBSERVATION STATION AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL IRREGULARITIES FOUND WITH THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4030V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4030V-2013-09-20), registration cancelled 2013-09-20, S/N 18349, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170
- Registry model: [Cessna 170](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170) (registry code 2072302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18349
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145-2 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Theodore F. Monroe
- Registered owner: Theodore F Monroe
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: NONE, WIEN LAKE, AK
- Destination: ENN, NENANA, AK
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 235 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Temperature: 25 °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 19901125053459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901125053459A), Nov 25, 1990: Cessna 170B, Wien Lake, AK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Took off in heavy snow showers with white out conditions. Lost control and crashed on frozen lake.

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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