# NTSB SEA90LA053: Cessna 172N, N1220F, Juneau, AK, March 18, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 18, 1990, 13:02 local (17:02 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: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41176
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41176/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA053

## Probable cause

THE PILOT DID NOT MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AND DID NOT ADEQUATELY CORRECT THE SITUATION PRIOR TO COLLIDING WITH AN OBJECT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - other (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT A NORMAL PREFLIGHT WAS PERFORMED WITH NO ABNORMALITIES NOTED. JUST AFTER LIFT OFF, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT. THE PILOT APPLIED RIGHT RUDDER AND AILERON CONTROL, HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT AND COLLIDED INTO A BARGE THAT WAS MOORED IN A WATERWAY THAT PARALLELS THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE SANK IN 35 FEET OF WATER. AFTER THE AIRPLANE WAS RETRIEVED, AND A POST CRASH INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED, THERE WERE NO NOTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1220F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1220F-2012-06-12), registration cancelled 2012-06-12, S/N 17272975, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17272975
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Gregory L Blanchfield
- Registered owner: Michelle C. Castanedo
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: JNU, Juneau, runway 26, 8,456 × 150 ft, water

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: right

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: JNU

## 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 19900318004589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900318004589A), Mar 18, 1990: Cessna 172N, Juneau, AK, Destroyed. Drifted off runway alignment on climb out, struck a barge and sank.

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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