# NTSB ANC99LA001: Cessna 172, N6867X, Russian Mission, AK, October 4, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 4, 1998, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Russian Mission, AK - Coordinates: 61.809532, -161.440109 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.8095&lon=-161.4401&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 44125 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA001 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/44125/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA001 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors associated with the accident are rising terrain, and a downdraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The certificated commercial pilot reported that the accident airstrip is situated within a valley with rising terrain on three sides, and the wind was blowing from the northwest about 15 to 20 knots. The pilot stated that he elected to depart to the west, and toward rising terrain. He stated that just after takeoff, the airplane encountered a strong downdraft, and failed to gain sufficient altitude to clear rising terrain. The airplane collided with a stand of trees, and sustained substantial damage to the wings, and fuselage. ## Factual narrative On October 4, 1998, about 1500 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 172 airplane, N6867X, sustained substantial damage during an attempted takeoff from a remote airstrip at Kako, Alaska, located about 10 miles north of Russian Mission, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The certificated commercial pilot, and the three passengers aboard, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on October 4, the pilot reported that the accident airstrip is situated within a valley with rising terrain on three sides, and that the wind was blowing from the northwest about 25 knots. The pilot stated that he elected to depart to the west, and toward rising terrain. He stated that just after takeoff, the airplane encountered a strong downdraft, and failed to gain sufficient altitude to clear rising terrain. The airplane collided with a stand of trees, and sustained substantial damage to the wings, and fuselage. The pilot noted there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6867X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6867X-2000-06-02), registration cancelled 2000-06-02, S/N 17247767 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172b) (registry code 2072406) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17247767 - Airframe hours: 4920 - Engines: Continental O-360-D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: David C. Penz - Registered owner: Grant W. Funk - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Unknown, July 13, 1998, 123 hours before - Airport: Kako, runway 27, 2,600 × 70 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,280 total, 50 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 25 knots - Visibility: 40 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 19981004034629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981004034629A), Oct 4, 1998: Cessna STC172, Russian Mission, AK, Substantial damage. On October 4, 1998, about 1500 local time, a wheel equipped Cessna 172, N6867X, crashed during an attempted takeoff from a remote airstrip at kako mine.… ## Other investigations on N6867X (1) 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. - [NTSB ANC95LA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA028), Jan 15, 1995: Cessna 172 (N6867X), Anvik, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE PROCEDURE IN THE PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK CONCERNING THE UNEVEN DISTRIBUTION OF FUEL, AND STARVATION OF THE FUEL INTAKE LINE BY UNPORTING. 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.