# NTSB ANC91LA053: Cessna 172, N3031U, Cantwell, AK, April 13, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1991, 20:15 local (Apr 13, 1991, 04:15 UTC)
- Place: Cantwell, AK
- Coordinates: 63.0097, -149.400527 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.0097&lon=-149.4005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5538
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5538/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA053

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SNOW COVERED RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (cause)
  - fss service - not understood, atc personnel(fss) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING FROM THE PALMER FLIGHT SERVICE STATION AND REQUESTED INFORMATION ON ANY NOTAMS FOR THE CANTWELL AIRPORT. THE FLIGHT SERVICE STATION SPECIALIST CALLED FOR A COLLECTIVE REPORT WHICH AUTOMATICALLY DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY NOTAM INFORMATION.  THE FLIGHT SERVICE SPECIALIST STATED THERE WERE NO NOTAMS SHOWING ON THE COMPUTER SCREEN, HOWEVER, SHE CAUTIONED THE PILOT ABOUT THE POOR CONDITIONS OF RUNWAYS DURING 'BREAKUP' AND SHE READ THE CAUTION LISTED IN THE ALASKA SUPPLEMENT UNDER AIRPORT REMARKS.  THE PILOT LANDED AT CANTWELL AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER ON THE RUNWAY.  THE RUNWAY HAD BEEN MAINTAINED FOR THE USE OF SKI EQUIPPED AIRPLANES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3031U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3031U), registered now, S/N 17250631, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172e) (registry code 2072412) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17250631
- Airframe hours: 2280
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas E. Williams
- Registered owner: Thomas E. Williams
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 1991, 1 hours before
- Departed: PAQ, PALMER, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Z68, Cantwell, runway 4, 2,100 × 50 ft, snow

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 446 total, 347 in this make and model, 446 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °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 19910412010229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910412010229A), Apr 12, 1991: Cessna 172E, Cantwell, AK, Substantial damage. Landed on snow covered dirt runway. Folded nose gear and flipped over. Was advised runway not attended. No NOTAMS.

## Other investigations on N3031U (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 GAA19CA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA236), May 1, 2019: Cessna 172 (N3031U), Wasilla, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight instructor's failure to verify the fuel level, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a subsequent forced landing and collision with a power line pole.…

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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