Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172N near Palmer, AK — 2010-07-12

Final reportANC10CA060
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Date
2010-07-12
Location
Palmer, AK, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 172N
Registration
N6594D
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to fly towards rising terrain that exceeded the climb capability of the airplane.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that he had flown over the Knik Glacier before, but he had been solo at the time and this was his first time with passengers. He approached the glacier at 1,500 feet mean sea level (msl) and initiated a climb. He noticed that the airplane's performance was degraded compared to his previous crossings, and he attributed it to the extra weight of his two passengers; however, he believed he would still make it over the glacier. At the 8,000 feet msl he noticed that he was much closer to the glacier than he expected and decided to turn back. He started a right turn, but the airplane was too low and slow and began to stall. First the right wing tip hit the snow, then the left wing tip hit before the the airplane nosed into the snow and over. The pilot and passengers egressed from the inverted airplane and were rescued about an hour later.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have turned back earlier before attempting to climb over the glacier.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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