# NTSB ANC97LA061: Cessna 172, N5407R, Ninilchik, AK, April 22, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 21, 1997, 19:35 local (Apr 22, 1997, 03:35 UTC) - Place: Ninilchik, AK - Coordinates: 60.070991, -151.419342 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.0710&lon=-151.4193&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 29, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2994 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA061 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2994/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA061 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain altitude/clearance from a closed runway, while making a low pass, which resulted in an inadvertent touchdown. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - low pass - performed, pilot in command - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - touchdown - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, other ## Analysis The pilot planned to land on a dirt runway at the end of a cross-country flight. When he arrived over the airport, the pilot noticed a large white 'X' (marking) at each end of the runway. He performed a low pass over the runway, and noted the surface contained several ruts. The pilot indicated that during the low pass, a gust of wind pushed the airplane to the left. He corrected the drift toward the right, and the airplane descended. The main landing gear inadvertently touched down on the soft surface of the runway at an estimated airspeed of 60 MPH. The airplane immediately nosed over. The airport facility directory contained a caution that the runway was extremely soft, when wet, and unusable during spring breakup. Safety areas at both runway ends were soft and rutted. ## Factual narrative On April 21, 1997, about 1935 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 172, N5407R, crashed while maneuvering at Ninilchik, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Merrill Field Airport, Anchorage, Alaska, at 1820. On April 21, 1997, at 2100, the pilot reported in a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), that he planned to land on runway 28. When he arrived over the airport, the pilot noticed that each end of the runway was marked with a large white "X". The pilot then performed a low pass over the runway and noted the surface contained several ruts. During the low pass, the pilot indicated a gust of wind pushed the airplane to the left. He corrected the drift toward the right and the airplane descended. The main landing gear inadvertently touched down on the soft surface of the runway at an estimated airspeed of 60 MPH. The airplane immediately nosed over. The airplane received damage to the empennage and the left wing. The Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), Section 2-3-6. OTHER MARKINGS, states, in part: "e. Temporarily Closed Runways and Taxiways - To provide a visual indication to pilots that a runway is temporarily closed, crosses are placed on the runway only at each end of the runway. The crosses are yellow in color. See Figure 2-3-22. 1. A raised lighted yellow cross may be placed on each runway end in lieu of the markings described in subparagraph "e" (above) to indicate the runway is closed. 2. A visual indication may not be present depending on the reason for the closure, duration of the closure, airfield configuration and the existence and the hours of operation of an airport traffic control Tower. Pilots should check NOTAMs and the Automated Terminal Information System (ATIS) for local Runway and taxiway closure information." The Alaska Supplement/Facility Directory states, in part: "Airport remarks - Unattended. Runway condition not monitored. Recommend visual inspection prior to use. Runway 10-28 marked with reflective threshold panels. Panels set unevenly and are partially damaged. Runway extremely soft when wet and unusable during spring breakup. Safety areas at both runway ends soft and rutted." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5407R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5407R), registered now, S/N 17252946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17252946 - Airframe hours: 3022 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James E. Fellenberg - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 21, 1997, 0 hours before - Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK - Destination: NIN - Airport: NIN, Ninilchik, runway 28, 2,400 × 60 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 672 total, 589 in this make and model, 588 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - 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 19970421006359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970421006359A), Apr 21, 1997: Cessna 172F, Ninilchik, AK, Substantial damage. Made low pass over closed strip to check condition. Drifted. Unintentially wheel touched. 172 flipped 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. --- 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.