# NTSB ANC92LA012: Cessna 172, N46279, Ekuk, AK, October 31, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 31, 1991, 17:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Ekuk, AK
- Coordinates: 55.920703, -159.489624 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.9207&lon=-159.4896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5669
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5669/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA012

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN FLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISION IN THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO TOUCHDOWN TOO CLOSE TO THE LOG.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE OBSERVED A LOG ON THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY AND TRIED TO MISS IT DURING THE TOUCHDOWN BUT THE AIRCRAFT NOSE WHEEL & FUSELAGE CONTACTED THE LOG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46279](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N46279-2023-05-03), registration cancelled 2023-05-03, S/N 17257152 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172I](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172i) (registry code 2072426) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17257152
- Airframe hours: 3818
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Floyd Raymond Murphy
- Registered owner: Floyd Raymond Murphy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 21, 1991, 30 hours before
- Departed: DLG, DILLINGHAM, AK
- Destination: KKU, EKUK, AK
- Airport: KKU, Ekuk, runway 28, 1,200 × 50 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 509 total, 470 in this make and model, 509 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19911031048299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911031048299A), Oct 31, 1991: Cessna 172P, Ekuk, AK, Substantial damage. Struck log on approach end of runway. Folding nose gear and bending firewall.

## Other investigations on N46279 (2)

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 ANC12CA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA022), Feb 10, 2012: Cessna 172I (N46279), McCarthy, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot lost directional control during landing.
- [NTSB ANC72DAG98](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC72DAG98), Mar 12, 1972: Cessna 172I (N46279), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.