Cessna 150M N704GK

Summary

On 2 April 2000 at about 21:30 local time, a Cessna 150M registered N704GK was involved in an accident near Skwentna, Alaska, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

2 April 2000 at 21:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Skwentna, Alaska, United States

Nearest airport

Eight Mile Airstrip

Coordinates

61.9295, -151.7308

Aircraft

Cessna 150M

Registration

N704GK

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Anchorage → Skwentna

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC00LA040

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area. Factors associated with the accident were the pilot's disorientation, landing at the wrong airport, flat lighting conditions, and his delay in initiating a go-around.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The solo student pilot reported that he had rented the airplane in order to complete his first solo cross-country flight. He said that while en route, he mistakenly thought the accident airstrip was Skwentna, his first intended destination. He said that while on approach to the south, he encountered southeasterly winds estimated at 15 knots, with gusts to 20 knots. He said as the airplane continued on the approach and went below the adjacent tree line, the rate of descent increased. He then realized that he was not at his intended airstrip, so he attempted a go-around, but the airplane continued to descend. As the airplane touched down on the runway, the main wheels contacted deep snow, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine firewall assembly. The pilot noted that the existing flat lighting conditions made judging the airplane's height over the terrain difficult.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.