# NTSB ANC95LA085: Cessna 172, N4804E, Delta Junction, AK, June 27, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1995, 22:50 local (Jun 27, 1995, 06:50 UTC)
- Place: Delta Junction, AK
- Coordinates: 63.700244, -144.889938 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.7002&lon=-144.8899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2672
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2672/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA085

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTED IN DRAGGING THE RIGHT WING AND SHEARING OFF THE NOSE GEAR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose down, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear - sheared

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE WAS IN GROUND EFFECT WHEN A GUST OF WIND HIT THE AIRPLANE AND IT STARTED TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT.  HE CORRECTED BUT STATED HE OVER REACTED AND LOST CONTROL.  THE PILOT STATED THE WIND WAS FROM 150 DEGREES AT 12 KNOTS.  HE WAS LANDING THE AIRPLANE ON RUNWAY 14.  THE AIRPLANE DRAGGED ITS RIGHT WING AND NOSED DOWN.

## Factual narrative

On June 26, 1995, at 2250 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 172 airplane, N4804E, registered to and operated by the pilot, nosed down and dragged the right wing during the landing roll at the Black Rapids Airport, Alaska.  The Black Rapids Airport is located 30 miles south of Delta Junction, Alaska.  The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, departed Tok, Alaska, and the destination was the accident site.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed.  The private certificated pilot and the 3 passengers were not injured.  The airplane received substantial damage.

According to the pilot, the wind was from 150 degrees at 12 knots and he did not notice any wind gusts during his approach.  After traveling down the runway in ground effect for a distance of 100 feet, the pilot stated that a wind gust hit the aircraft and at that moment there was no power applied to the engine.  The aircraft started to roll to the left.  The pilot stated he believes he overreacted to correct the roll and he lost control of the airplane.

During a telephone interview with the pilot, conducted on June 28, 1995, the pilot stated the accident occurred on June 26, 1995.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4804E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4804E), registered now, S/N 17271665, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17271665
- Airframe hours: 1390
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tamsy, Roy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 30, 1994, 51 hours before
- Departed: TKJ, TOK, AK
- Destination: 5BK, BLACK RAPIDS, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 5BK, Black Rapids, runway 14, 2,250 × 60 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 590 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 150° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °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 19950626014819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950626014819A), Jun 26, 1995: Cessna 172N, Black Rapids, AK, Substantial damage. Dragged a wing on landing. Blamed a wind gust lifted wing. Overreacted and lost control.

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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