# NTSB ANC91FA019: Cessna 172G, N4468L, Wasilla, AK, January 5, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 5, 1991, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Wasilla, AK
- Location: 61.5785° N, 149.4763° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wasilla, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5785&lon=-149.4763&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5477
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91FA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5477/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91FA019

## Probable cause

PILOT'S NOT REMOVING THE FROST FROM THE AIRPLANE BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO TAKEOFF. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S DELAYED ABORT, AND THE BERM.

## 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 - aborted
  - ice/frost removal from aircraft - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snowbank

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF WITH FROST ON THE UPPER SURFACES.  WHEN HE REALIZED THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT GOING TO FLY BEFORE REACHING THE END OF THE RUNWAY, HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF AND STEERED IT OFF THE RUNWAY AND INTO A SNOWBERM.  HE SAID HE THOUGHT THE RUNWAY WAS ABOUT 2,000 FEET LONG.  FAA RECORDS SHOW IT TO BE 1,250 FEET LONG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4468L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4468L), registered now, S/N 17254563, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172G
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-54563
- Airframe hours: 2000
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Larry M. Driskill
- Registered owner: Larry M. Driskill
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 30, 1990
- Destination: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Airport: Z96, Philos, runway 3, 1,250 × 30 ft, snow

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 500 total, 470 in this make and model, 464 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910105000229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910105000229A), Jan 5, 1991: Cessna 172G, Wasilla, AK, Substantial damage. Tried to take off on snow compacted strip with heavy frost on wings. Unable to lift,aborted and steered 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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