Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Wasilla, Alaska
Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
https://registry.faa.gov/N2809L
Location: Anchorage, AK
Accident Number: ANC19LA006
Date & Time: 11/03/2018, 0940 AKD
Registration: N2809L
Aircraft:Cessna 172
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Fuel related
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
On November 3, 2018, about 0940 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 172 airplane, N2809L, sustained substantial damage during an emergency landing on runway 25 at Merrill Field (PAMR), Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 visual flight when the accident occurred. The private pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local area flight. The flight had departed PAMR about 0935.
According to the pilot, on a previous flight, about 0900 the same day, when around 400 ft above ground level (AGL) during climbout, the engine began losing power and ran extremely rough. While in the traffic pattern, the engine was only able to produce about 1200 RPM. The pilot stated that he was able to return for an uneventful landing on runway 25.
Following the event, the pilot sumped both fuel tanks and gascolator for contaminants, with none found. The pilot then completed a run-up with no anomalies and taxied for departure with the carburetor heat on. Upon reaching the run-up area, the pilot completed another run-up. With no anomalies occurring on either run-up, the pilot elected to depart for a flight around the traffic pattern.
Just after departure from runway 25, and around 300 ft above ground level (AGL), the engine again began losing power and ran extremely rough. An emergency was declared and the pilot was able to return for landing. During landing, the left wing impacted the runway, resulting in substantial damage. After the second event, the airplane was parked outside where temperatures remained below freezing.
On November 4, the airplane was examined by the NTSB Investigator-in-Charge. The fuel caps were found frozen in place due to a significant amount of water trapped in the recessed area. Upon removing the caps, ice was found on the vent flap and the filler neck was completely covered in corrosion. Corrosion particles were also located within the fuel tank. The gascolator was then drained and tested for water by use of a water finding paste. The fuel sample tested positive for water.
Due to the cold outside temperatures, draining of the carburetor was delayed to allow for thawing of all potential ice in the fuel system. On November 12, the carburetor was removed from the airplane by Alaskan Aircraft Engines, an overhaul facility, for inspection. According to the inspection report, a large amount of debris and water were located within the carburetor bowl.
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 50, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 09/01/2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N2809L
Model/Series: 172
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1967
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 17256009
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection:
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2299 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT:
Engine Model/Series: O-300 SER
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 145 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: PAMR, 138 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0853 AKD
Direction from Accident Site: 281°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 9500 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 4 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 10°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.49 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: -4°C / -11°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Anchorage, AK (MRI)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Anchorage, AK (MRI)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 0935 AKD
Type of Airspace: Class E
Airport Information
Airport: MERRILL FIELD (MRI)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 137 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 25
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4000 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Precautionary Landing
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 61.215833, -149.841944
