# NTSB ANC92LA034: Cessna 150, N8620S, Fairbanks, AK, February 8, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 8, 1992, 15:08 local (19:08 UTC)
- Place: Fairbanks, AK
- Coordinates: 64.809959, -147.719085 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8100&lon=-147.7191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5688
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5688/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA034

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE ALTITUDE NECESSARY FOR TERRAIN CLEARANCE ON THE FINAL APPROACH.  FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE SNOWBANK AND THE DUSK LIGHTING CONDITIONS.

## Analysis

WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, DURING DUSK LIGHTING CONDITIONS, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A SNOWBANK APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET FROM THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD.  THE PRIVATE PILOT STATED THAT SHE WAS 'CUTTING THE RUNWAY TOO CLOSE, AND THAT BY TRYING TO LAND ON OR NEAR THE NUMBERS I DIDN'T PROVIDE A WIDE ENOUGH SAFETY MARGIN'.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8620S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8620S), registered now, S/N 15061920, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15061920
- Airframe hours: 3799
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sparks, Donald K.
- Registered owner: Sparks, Donald K.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 28, 1992, 15 hours before
- Airport: FAI, Fairbanks International, runway 1, 3,200 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 137 total, 9 in this make and model, 30 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 9 °F, dew point 1 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAI, 1 nm away

## 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 19920208002399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920208002399A), Feb 8, 1992: Cessna 150F, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Student pilot on long shallow final touched down short of runway and collapsed nose gear.

## Other investigations on N8620S (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC99LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA034), Mar 16, 1999: Cessna 150 (N8620S), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power for an undetermined reason.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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