# NTSB ANC94LA121: Cessna 172, N78428, Wrangell, AK, August 18, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1994, 11:06 local (19:06 UTC)
- Place: Wrangell, AK
- Coordinates: 56.410774, -131.610183 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.4108&lon=-131.6102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2553
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC94LA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2553/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA121

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDERTERMINED REASONS AND THE LACK OF A SUITABLE LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- On ground/water collision with object, emergency descent/landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL POWER LOSS DURING CRUISE FLIGHT. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN PARTIAL POWER BY PUMPING THE THROTTLE.  HE SELECTED A FORCED LANDING AREA AND DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE RIGHT WING HIT A 'DEAD TREE SNAG.'  THE REASON FOR THE ENGINE POWER PROBLEM WAS UNDETERMINED.

## Factual narrative

On August 18, 1994 at 1106 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 172 airplane, N78428 experienced a partial power failure during cruise flight and was forced to land at Vande Put Point, near Thomas Bay, Alaska.  The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Petersburg, Alaska, and the destination was Juneau, Alaska.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed.  The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged.

According to the student pilot, he was able to keep the engine running partially by pumping the throttle.  He attempted to select the left and right fuel tanks but the engine would not run.  He finally selected fuel tanks "both" position and accomplished a magneto check.  He stated the magnetos checked fine.  He continued to pump the throttle to maintain some engine power.  He executed a forced landing on the beach and during the landing roll the right wing hit a dead tree snag damaging the right wing.

Examination of the airplane did not show any reason for the power loss.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N78428](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N78428), registered now, S/N 17257612, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-320-E2D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-320-e2d) (registry code 42123, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17257612
- Airframe hours: 2829
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tullis, John L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PSG, PETERSBURG, AK
- Destination: JNU, JUNEAU, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 73 total, 61 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PSG, 12 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 19940818021799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940818021799A), Aug 18, 1994: Cessna 172K, Wrangell, AK, Substantial damage. Partial power loss. Wing hit a dead tree landing on a beach. Reported pumping throttle kept engine running.

## Other investigations on N78428 (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 CHI79FEP16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79FEP16), Dec 22, 1978: Cessna 172K (N78428), Dodgeville, WI, 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.

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