# NTSB ANC91FA132: Cessna 172, N98785, Eklutna Lake, AK, August 23, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1991, 19:40 local (Aug 23, 1991, 03:40 UTC)
- Place: Eklutna Lake, AK
- Coordinates: 61.409809, -149.170944 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4098&lon=-149.1709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5489
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91FA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5489/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91FA132

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN TERRAIN CLEARANCE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE MOUNTAIN AT THE 3,750 FOOT LEVEL WHILE ON A SIGHTSEEING TRIP LOOKING FOR MOUNTAIN SHEEP.  THE PILOT AND TWO PASSENGERS WERE FATALLY INJURED, AND ONE PASSENGER RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES.  THE PASSENGER STATED THAT THEY WERE FLYING BELOW THE RIDGELINE WHEN THEY STRUCK THE MOUNTAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N98785](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N98785-1994-08-10), registration cancelled 1994-08-10, S/N 17276352 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17276352
- Airframe hours: 4467
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 16, 1991, 20 hours before
- Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 950 total, 230 in this make and model, 880 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19910822036559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910822036559A), Aug 22, 1991: Cessna 172P, Eklutna Lake, AK, Substantial damage, 3 fatal. Struck mountainside while operating below crest in narrow valley. Was scouting for sheep.

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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