CESSNA 172 near Anchorage, AK — 2015-12-29

Probable cause

The pilot's intentional flight into a building.

NTSB narrative

Witnesses reported seeing the airplane flying in an easterly direction at a very low altitude before striking the northwest corner of an office building. The airplane's wreckage continued traveling east while descending into an adjacent office building and subsequently struck an electrical transformer. A postcrash fire consumed the airplane wreckage. The private pilot intentionally flew the airplane into the side of the building, and he was killed. The flight was not authorized and the event was an intentional act, so the Federal Bureau of Investigation assumed jurisdiction and control of the investigation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode

Human factors

First missed decision gate

Pilot should not have flown without authorization and under the influence of medication.

NTSB coding

• Security/criminal event · Maneuvering

Evidence available

• 2 docket documents

Docket documents2

• Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1form
• Toxicological Reportreport

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