# NTSB SEA83LA152: Cessna 120, N76239, Tenakee Springs, AK, July 18, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1983, 23:15 local (Jul 18, 1983, 06:15 UTC)
- Place: Tenakee Springs, AK
- Coordinates: 57.790489, -135.18077 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.7905&lon=-135.1808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39732
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA152
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39732/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA152

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT NOSED OVER DURING A FORCED LANDING ON A ROCKY BEACH AT NIGHT. THE PILOT DID NOT USE CARBURETOR HEAT DURING THE ENGINE RESTART ATTEMPTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N76239](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N76239), registered now, S/N 10638, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 10642
- Airframe hours: 1906
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lawrence Gregg
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1983
- Departed: JUN, JUNEAU, AK
- Destination: SIT, SITKA, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 790 total, 4 in this make and model, 690 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °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 19830717043579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830717043579A), Jul 17, 1983: Cessna 120, Tenakee Springs, AK, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route. Landed on a rocky beach and flipped over. Pilot failed to use carburetor heat.

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.