# NTSB GAA18CA526: Cessna 172, N3835S, Karluk, AK, September 1, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 1, 2018, 14:10 local (22:10 UTC) - Place: Karluk, AK - Coordinates: 57.997222, -154.996383 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.9972&lon=-154.9964&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98230 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA526 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98230/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98230 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA526 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain proper pitch for a soft-field landing, which resulted in a loss of airplane control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=2072412), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172E, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072412), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Cessna 172E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=2072412), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/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 172E, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072412), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172E, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072412), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while landing on a beach, as he "relaxed" the back pressure on the yoke, the airplane ground looped, the right wing struck the ground, and then the left wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that, after examining the tracks in the sand, it was obvious that he had failed to hold back pressure on the yoke during the landing roll to maintain a proper soft-field technique. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, while landing on a beach, as he "relaxed" the back pressure on the yoke, the airplane ground looped, the right wing struck the ground, and then the left wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that after examining the tracks in the sand, it was obvious that he failed to hold back pressure on the yoke during the landing roll to maintain a proper soft-field technique. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3835S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3835S), registered now, S/N 17251035 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 (E) - Registry model: [Cessna 172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172e) (registry code 2072412) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17251035 - Year built: 1963 - Airframe hours: 2722 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, July 5, 2018 - Departed: AKN, King Salmon, AK - Destination: Karluk, AK - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 19, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 116 total, 112 in this make and model, 55 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: PAKH, 69 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 20180901012739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180901012739A), Sep 1, 2018: Cessna 172E, Katmai Bay, AK, Substantial damage. PIC was attempting a beach landing. After touchdown, PIC allowed the nose wheel to contact the beach prematurely which caused the aircraft to groundloop. There… ## Other investigations on N3835S (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 UNK64X1088](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X1088), Mar 29, 1964: Cessna 172D (N3835S), Wellington, KS, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 15, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98230. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 884 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468313&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Pictures (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 526 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40468314&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Pictures-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.