# NTSB ANC98LA031: Cessna 172A, N7339T, Paxson, AK, March 25, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 25, 1998, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Paxson, AK
- Coordinates: 63.700065, -144.889846 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.7001&lon=-144.8898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3124
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC98LA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3124/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA031

## Probable cause

The pilots failure to maintain terrain clearance while flying into a box canyon, and an inadvertent stall during his attempt to reverse direction.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - blind/box canyon
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

The private pilot stated to the NTSB Investigator-In-Charge that he flew the airplane into a ravine to view animals, and realized that the airplane could not climb out of the ravine.  He said that while attempting to reverse the airplane's direction at slow speed, the airplane stalled, and collided with rising terrain.

## Factual narrative

On March 25, 1998, at 1630 Alaska standard time, a Cessna 172A airplane, N7339T, was destroyed when it collided with terrain 15 miles west-southwest of Paxson, Alaska.  The private pilot and the two passengers aboard were uninjured.  The airplane was co-owned by the pilot.  The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight to view animals.  Visual meteorological condition prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot stated during an interview with the NTSB IIC on March 26, 1998, that he flew the airplane into a ravine, realized that the airplane could not climb out of it, and attempted to reverse direction at slow speed.  He indicated that during the turn the airplane stalled, collided with rising terrain, and nosed onto its back.

The pilot did not complete and return the Pilot/Operator Reports which were sent to him.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7339T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7339T-2013-07-08), registration cancelled 2013-07-08, S/N 46939, built 1959 (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: 46939
- Engines: Continental O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gary Farinola
- Registered owner: Jill Adelstein
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK
- Destination: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 520 total, 520 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19980325004289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980325004289A), Mar 25, 1998: Cessna 172A, Paxson, AK, Destroyed. Flew into a ravine. Unable out climb terrain. Reversed course slow airspeed. Stalled. Nosed over ground impact. (-23) pilot stated that he left fairbanks,…

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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