# NTSB ANC97LA018: Cessna 182, N8591T, Skwentna, AK, January 11, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 11, 1997, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Skwentna, AK
- Coordinates: 61.930561, -151.730941 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.9306&lon=-151.7309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 21, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2958
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2958/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA018

## Probable cause

the pilot's selection of an unsuitable area (terrain) for landing.  A factor relating to the accident was: excessive snow cover on the airstrip.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - overload
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

The pilot and a passenger were landing on a remote, snow covered airstrip at the conclusion of a cross-country flight. The landing strip had been graded in the past, but had recently received several inches of snow. During the landing roll toward the north, the airplane rapidly decelerated, the nose gear collapsed, and the airplane then nosed over.

## Factual narrative

On January 11, 1997, about 1200 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Cessna 182, N8591T, crashed during landing at a remote landing strip about 28 miles northwest of Skwentna, Alaska.  The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred.  The airplane received substantial damage.  The certificated private pilot and the sole passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  The flight originated at Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska, at 1030.

On January 13, 1997, at 0800, the pilot reported in a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), that he was landing near cabins in a remote area.  The landing strip had been graded in the past but had recently received several inches of snow.  During the landing roll toward the north, the airplane rapidly decelerated.  The nose wheel collapsed and the airplane nosed over.  The airplane received damage to the propeller, nose gear, and left wing lift strut.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8591T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8591T), registered now, S/N 52491, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182c) (registry code 2072708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 52491
- Engines: Continental O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bryan F. Greco
- Registered owner: James C. Hefty
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Airport: Camp Creek, runway 36, snow

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 16 °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 19970111001239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970111001239A), Jan 11, 1997: Cessna 182C, Skwentna, AK, Substantial damage. Landing near cabins on remote strip in severeal inches of snow. Nose gear collapsed. 182 nosed over.

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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