# NTSB ANC95LA135: Cessna 172, N758PX, Cordova, AK, August 10, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1995, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Cordova, AK
- Coordinates: 60.790641, -145.609786 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.7906&lon=-145.6098&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 6, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2713
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2713/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA135

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION AND DELAYED DECISION TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - aborted
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF A FLOAT PLANE STARTED TO TAKE OFF FROM A LAKE. DURING THE TAKEOFF RUN, HE ELECTED TO ABORTED THE TAKEOFF, SINCE THERE WAS NOT SUFFICIENT LAKE AREA REMAINING TO TAKE OFF. HOWEVER, BEFORE THE AIRPLANE COULD BE STOPPED, IT COLLIDED WITH THE SHORELINE AND TREES.

## Factual narrative

On August 10, 1995, at 1400 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Cessna 172, N758PX, registered to and operated by Alaska Northern Adventures, crashed into the shoreline of Hangitia Lake, located 85 miles northeast of Cordova, Alaska, after an aborted takeoff.  The business flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, was departing Hangitia Lake and the destination was Cordova.  A company flight plan was in effect.  The commercial certificated pilot and the two passengers were not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged.

According to the operator, Alaska Northern Adventures, the pilot aborted the takeoff because "the pilot ran out of lake."  The airplane struck the shore of the lake and then struck some trees.

An NTSB Form 6120.1/2 was sent to the operator on August 17, 1995, a second form was sent on September 20, 1995.  Telephonic messages left with the operator on December 12, 1995, and January 12, 1996, went unanswered.

According to Federal Aviation Administration Medical records, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the pilot had a total flight time of 3700 hours and 25 hours within the preceding six months of the medical certificate application date of April 17, 1995.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N758PX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N758PX), registered now, S/N R1723262, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna R172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172k) (registry code 2072431) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R1723262
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tom Prijatel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: CDV, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,700 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- 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 19950810023949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950810023949A), Aug 10, 1995: Cessna R172K, Cordova, AK, Substantial damage. Floatplane ran out of lake on takeoff. Aborted late. Ran up onshore into trees.

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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