Cessna 172R N949AF

Summary

On 31 December 2020 at about 23:45 local time, a Cessna 172R registered N949AF, operated by Elmendorf Air Force Base Aero Club, was involved in an accident near Hope, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 December 2020 at 23:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Hope, Alaska, United States

Nearest airport

Hope (5HO)

Coordinates

60.9068, -149.6232

Aircraft

Cessna 172R

Registration

N949AF

Category

Airplane

Year built

1998

Engines

1

Operator

Elmendorf Air Force Base Aero Club

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Cooper Landing → Anchorage

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

ANC21LA010

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. A factor was the certified flight instructor’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During an instructional flight, prior to landing, the pilots over flew the runway at pattern altitude to assess the runway conditions. The runway was observed snow-covered and appeared to have “recent tire track marks down the center of the runway”. The pilots chose to attempt a landing; however, during the touchdown, on the snow-covered runway, the main landing gear dug into the snow and the airplane decelerated rapidly. Subsequently, the nose-wheel entered the snow, “pivoting the airplane onto the nose”, and both wingtips struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport supplement remarks state: “Unattended. Be alert rwy condition not monitored. Recommend visual inspection prior to landing.” The flight instructor added that this accident could have been prevented by calling the airport and inquiring about the condition of the runway before the flight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.