# NTSB ANC93LA162: Cessna 172, N3817S, Knik Glacier, AK, August 22, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 21, 1993, 19:30 local (Aug 22, 1993, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Knik Glacier, AK
- Coordinates: 61.619693, -148.980941 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6197&lon=-148.9809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 18, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2417
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93LA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2417/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA162

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION, AND HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT. FACTORS WERE THE RAIN AND THE ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE WAS LANDING AT A NARROW AND ROUGH REMOTE HUNTING SITE, AND HIS FORWARD VISIBILITY WAS LIMITED BY HEAVY RAIN. HE MISTAKENLY TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT 10 FT TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE LANDING AREA ONTO ROUGH TERRAIN. THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE LEFT WING HIT THE GROUND.

## Factual narrative

On August 21, 1993, at 1930 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 172 airplane, N3817S, experienced a collapsed nose landing gear while landing at a remote strip adjacent to the Knik Glacier, approximately 10 miles east of Palmer, Alaska.  The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged.  The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Palmer at 1900.  Visual meteorological conditions existed, and no flight plan was filed.

During a telephone interview with the pilot shortly after the accident, he stated the following in part:  "The purpose of the flight was to hunt moose.  The strip was narrow and rough.  It was raining heavy and my forward visibility was bad.  I mistakenly touched down about 10 feet to the left side of the landing area.  The nose gear collapsed and the left wing hit the ground."

While the accident was reported by the pilot on August 22, 1993, the amount of damage was not determined until an aircraft mechanic, Mr. Ray Block, of Palmer, recovered the airplane on August 31, 1993.  Mr. Block stated that the rear spar in the left wing was damaged and would have to be replaced.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3817S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3817S), registered now, S/N 17251017, 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: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17251017
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cochran, James A.
- Registered owner: Cochran, James A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 28, 1993, 18 hours before
- Departed: AK01, PALMER, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 776 total, 776 in this make and model, 776 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °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 19930821036469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930821036469A), Aug 21, 1993: Cessna 172E, Knik Glacier, AK, Substantial damage. Landed on Glacier strip but angled off improved area and collapsed nose gear in rough terrain.

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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