# NTSB ANC95LA116: Cessna 172, N1426U, Kotzebue, AK, July 9, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 8, 1995, 17:30 local (Jul 9, 1995, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Kotzebue, AK - Coordinates: 67.239959, -161.189086 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.2400&lon=-161.1891&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 8, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2696 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA116 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2696/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA116 ## Probable cause FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION. THE UNFAVORABLE (STRONGER THAN FORECAST) HEADWIND WAS A RELATED FACTOR. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED HE WAS LOW ON FUEL BECAUSE OF STRONGER THAN FORECAST HEAD WINDS. HE DECLARED AN EMERGENCY TO AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL, AND SUBSEQUENTLY DECIDED TO DESCEND THROUGH AN OVERCAST TO SEARCH FOR AN OFF-AIRPORT LANDING SITE. THE ENGINE STOPPED DURING THE DESCENT, WHILE IN THE CLOUDS. THE PILOT FOUND A SANDY, MUSKEG LIKE AREA FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING AFTER BREAKING OUT OF THE CLOUDS. THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT WING STRUCK THE GROUND DURING THE FORCED LANDING. ## Factual narrative On July 8, 1995, about 1730 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 172 airplane, N1426U, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing on a sandy, muskeg like area located approximately 12 miles north of Kotzebue, Alaska. The solo, instrument rated private pilot was not injured. The majority of the 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions. A VFR flight plan was filed. The flight departed Barrow, Alaska, about 1300. During an interview with the pilot on July 28, 1995, the pilot stated he was en route to Kotzebue, Alaska, from Barrow, Alaska. He said he encountered stronger than forecast head winds while en route, and realized the airplane was low on fuel. He said he contacted the Anchorage FAA Air Route Traffic Control Center, and declared an emergency. He subsequently allowed the airplane to descend into the underlying cloud layer in search of an off- airport landing site. Prior to reaching visual flight conditions, the engine ran out of gas. The pilot made a forced landing on a sandy/muskeg area, striking the airplane's left wing on the ground in the process. The pilot initially reported no preimpact mechanical anomaly with the airplane. He said the engine ran out of gas because he was airborne too long and did not refuel. The pilot also stated his departure time was 1300 from Barrow. In his written report to the NTSB dated August 4, 1995, the pilot stated his departure time from Barrow was 1315. He also wrote that a mechanic had found a carburetor "problem." The mechanic's statement (attached), notes that the four bolts on the carburetor bowl were loose, and that the locking tabs were not locked. The pilot also noted in his report that the airplane had 38 gallons of fuel aboard prior to departure. According to figures provided by the pilot, he was airborne either 4:15 hours, or 4:30 hours prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1426U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1426U), registered now, S/N 17267093, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172670093 - Airframe hours: 1635 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E20 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Laverne D. Brue - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 1995, 46 hours before - Departed: BRW, BARROW, AK - Destination: OTZ - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 970 total, 884 in this make and model, 970 as pilot in command, 73 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 3 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 55 °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 19950708020089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950708020089A), Jul 8, 1995: Cessna 172M, Kotzebue, AK, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Crash landed on tundra. Full tanks empty. Blamed head wind and loose carburetor. At fuel range 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.