# NTSB GAA18CA119: Cessna 172, N271BJ, Juneau, AK, February 5, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 5, 2018, 11:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Juneau, AK - Coordinates: 58.373332, -134.051116 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.3733&lon=-134.0511&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 23, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96708 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA119 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96708/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96708 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA119 ## Probable cause The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the wheel-equipped airplane reported that, while landing on an unimproved snow-covered airstrip, he misjudged the surface condition. He added that, as the nose gear touched down, the wheel broke through the snow and that the airplane turned sideways and then nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the front windshield and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the wheel-equipped airplane reported that, while landing on an unimproved snow-covered airstrip, he misjudged the surface condition. He added that, as the nose gear touched down the wheel broke through the snow, turned sideways, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the front windshield and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N271BJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N271BJ-2020-05-01), registration cancelled 2020-05-01, S/N 36069, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6A&6V335 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a-6v335-series) (registry code 27020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 36069 - Year built: 1957 - Engines: FRANKLIN 335/180 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 25, 2017 - Departed: JNU, JUNEAU, AK - Destination: Juneau, AK - Equipment: Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: PAJN, 16 nm away ## 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 20180205003549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180205003549A), Feb 5, 2018: Cessna 172, Juneau, AK, Substantial damage. Airman overflew landing site, which was covered with windblown snow. A snowmobile track nearby showed visible rocks in the track, with which airman presumed… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 26, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96708. 952 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 823 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461278&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Picture (Courtesy of Takuriver) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 129 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461279&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture%20(Courtesy%20of%20Takuriver)-Master.PDF 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.