# NTSB SEA85LA168: Cessna 172N, N4931G, Juneau, AK, July 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1985, 20:20 local (Jul 17, 1985, 03:20 UTC)
- Place: Juneau, AK
- Location: 58.3547° N, 134.5785° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at JUNEAU INTL (JNU), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.3547&lon=-134.5785&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40201
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA85LA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40201/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA168

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - reduced, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PLT RETURNING FROM LOCAL FLIGHT LOST VISUAL CONTACT WITH RUNWAY DURING FLARE DUE TO SUNGLARE. ATCT HAD CLEARED ACFT TO RUNWAY AND NO REQUEST FOR CHC INITIATED BY PLT, OR GO AROUND ATTEMPTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4931G (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17273478
- Airframe hours: 1581
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gary B. Dunne
- Registered owner: Air Center Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 23, 1985, 40 hours before
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: JNU, Juneau Int'L, runway 26, 8,400 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 86 total, 4 in this make and model, 49 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JUN

## 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 19850716061409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850716061409A), Jul 16, 1985: Cessna 172N, Juneau, AK, Substantial damage. Lost visual contact with runway due to sun. Landed hard collapsing nose gear.

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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