# NTSB ANC97LA020: Cessna 140, N2400N, Gustavus, AK, January 13, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 13, 1997, 15:25 local (19:25 UTC)
- Place: Gustavus, AK
- Coordinates: 58.41957, -135.779006 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.4196&lon=-135.7790&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 21, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2960
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2960/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA020

## Probable cause

the pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing.  The soft terrain was a related factor.

## 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
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

The pilot was planning to land at a remote airport. Areas of low ground fog moved into the airport environment. The pilot decided to land on an adjacent beach area until the fog dissipated. During the landing roll, the airplane encountered an area of soft terrain and nosed over. The airplane received damage to a wing lift strut and the rudder cap.

## Factual narrative

On January 13, 1997, about 1525 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped, Cessna 140, N2400N, crashed during landing on a beach adjacent to the Gustavus Airport, Gustavus, Alaska.  The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred.  The airplane, operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage.  The certificated commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  A VFR flight plan was filed.  The flight originated at the Juneau Airport, Juneau, Alaska, about 1440.

In a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on January 16, 1997, at 1215, the pilot reported he intended to land at the Gustavus airport.  Areas of low ground fog moved into the airport environment.  He decided to land on an adjacent beach area until the fog dissipated.  The pilot landed on the beach toward the northwest.  During the landing roll, the airplane encountered an area of soft terrain and the airplane nosed over.  The airplane received damage to a wing lift strut and the rudder cap.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2400N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2400N-2016-03-24), registration cancelled 2016-03-24, S/N 12649, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 140
- Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12649
- Airframe hours: 2361
- Engines: Continental C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Christopher E. Smith
- Registered owner: Susan Brook
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 13, 1996, 97 hours before
- Departed: JNU, JUNEAU, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,730 total, 330 in this make and model, 1,600 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 39 °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 19970113003649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970113003649A), Jan 13, 1997: Cessna 140, Gustavus, AK, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot was planning to land at a remote airport. Areas of low ground fog moved into the airport environment. The pilot decided to land on an adjacent…

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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