# NTSB ANC95LA124: Cessna 172A, N345RB, Chickaloon, AK, August 1, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 1, 1995, 11:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Chickaloon, AK - Coordinates: 61.739555, -148.219116 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.7396&lon=-148.2191&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 14, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2703 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA124 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2703/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA124 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT ENCOUNTER WITH ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE/CLEARANCE FROM THE TERRAIN TO COMPENSATE FOR SUCH CONDITIONS. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DOWNDRAFTS, THE PROXIMITY OF MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE WEATHER EVALUATION. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - flight into adverse weather - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis THE CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT AND A PASSENGER WERE SCOUTING FOR SHEEP IN A REMOTE MOUNTAINOUS AREA AT 5,500 FEET. THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT AND BEGAN LOSING ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED. THE PILOT BEGAN A TURN AT FULL POWER, BUT THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO DESCEND UNTIL IT CONTACTED THE GROUND. DURING IMPACT, THE LEFT WINGTIP STRUCK THE GROUND, AND THE AIRPLANE CARTWHEELED DOWNSLOPE AND CAME TO REST AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 4,800 FEET. PERFORMANCE CHARTS FOR THE AIRPLANE INDICATED THAT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF A 350 FOOT PER MINUTE CLIMB. THE PILOT REPORTED SCATTERED RAIN SHOWERS IN THE AREA. ## Factual narrative On August 1, 1995, about 1145 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Cessna 172A, N345RB, collided with terrain while maneuvering in a remote area, about 30 miles east of Chickaloon, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by the pilot, was destroyed. The certificated private pilot received serious injuries. The sole passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at the Wasilla Lake Seaplane base, Wasilla, Alaska, at 1042. The pilot reported that he was flying in the area of Sheep Mountain and Caribou Creek about 5,500 feet mean sea level (MSL). He indicated that the airplane encountered a strong downdraft and began losing altitude and airspeed at full power. The pilot began a turn away from rising terrain but the airplane stalled about 40 feet above the ground. The left wingtip struck a small rise and the airplane cartwheeled downslope. The engine was torn from the airplane and the fuselage was broken in-half. The airplane came to rest about 4,800 feet msl. The airplane was reported overdue to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and an alert notice (ALNOT) was issued at 1603. Search aircraft located the accident site by tracking the airplane's emergency locator transmitter (ELT) about 1900. The pilot reported that the airplane was 128 pounds below gross weight. A review of climb data from the airplane owners manual revealed that at gross weight, 5,000 feet and 41 degrees F, the airplane should have been capable of a 350 foot per minute climb. The pilot also indicated that scattered rain showers were present in the area. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N345RB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N345RB-2013-08-21), registration cancelled 2013-08-21, S/N 47512, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172A - Registry model: [Cessna 172A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172a) (registry code 2072404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 47512 - Airframe hours: 2576 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-C 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Charles E. Spencer - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 31, 1995, 3 hours before - Departed: 5L6, WASILLA, AK - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,650 total, 140 in this make and model, 3,650 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 135° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken - Temperature: 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19950801021409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950801021409A), Aug 1, 1995: Cessna 172A, Chickaloon, AK, Destroyed. Encountered downdraft began turn away from rising terrain. Stalled. Wing hit a rise. Aircraft cartwheeled. 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.