Pilot Debrief

Cessna 172 near Anchorage, AK — 2018-11-03

Final reportANC19LA006
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Date
2018-11-03
Location
Anchorage, AK, USA
Airport
MRI
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Registration
N2809L
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during the landing flare, which resulted in the wing striking the runway. Contributing to the accident was a partial loss of engine power, which resulted from fuel contamination.

NTSB narrative

According to the private pilot, shortly after departing for the local, personal flight and about 300 ft above ground level, the engine began losing power and running extremely roughly. He declared an emergency and was able to return to the departure airport for landing. During landing, the left wing impacted the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the outboard portion of the left wing. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed large amounts of ice around the fuel caps and on the fuel cap vent, and a large amount of debris and water was drained from the carburetor bowl. Due to the amount of water found in the carburetor, it is likely that water entered the fuel system through the fuel caps and led to the partial loss of engine power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel system for water before departure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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