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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

March 18, 1995 · Cessna 150M · N88808

Glennallen, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 18, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Glennallen, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 150M
Tail Number
N88808
Operator
Red Baron Air
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC95LA035

DURING A SOLO CROSS-COUNTRY INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE STUDENT PILOT ENCOUNTERED LOW CEILINGS IN THE AREA OF THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. THE PILOT TURNED AROUND, HOWEVER THEN NOTICED THAT THE WEATHER CONDITIONS SEEMED TO IMPROVE. HE AGAIN STARTED TOWARD THE DESTINATION. WEATHER CONDITIONS AGAIN DETERIORATED AND THE PILOT DECIDED TO LAND AT A REMOTE AIRSTRIP FOR FUEL. THE RUNWAY WAS SNOW COVERED AND HAD SEVERAL TRACKS THAT APPEARED TO BE AIRCRAFT WHEEL TRACKS. THE PILOT EVALUATED THE RUNWAY CONDITION FROM THE AIR AND IT APPEARED TO BE HARD-PACKED. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED ABOUT 9 INCHES OF SOFT SNOW AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. THE RUNWAY IS UNATTENDED AND MAINTAINED BY LOCAL PARTIES ON AN UNOFFICIAL BASIS. THE PILOT HAD ACCRUED 37 TOTAL FLIGHT HOURS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR LANDING. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE A SOFT, SNOW COVERED RUNWAY, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL AERONAUTICAL EXPERIENCE.

Full Narrative

On March 18, 1995, about 1420 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Cessna 150, N88808, crashed during landing at Skelton Airstrip near the Eureka Roadhouse, about 50 miles southwest of Glennallen, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) solo cross-country instructional flight to Gulkana Airport, Glennallen, when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by Red Baron Air, Anchorage, Alaska, sustained substantial damage. The pilot, holder of a student pilot certificate, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated at Merrill Field, Anchorage, about 1110. The pilot reported that as the flight progressed through the Tahneta Pass, he observed low ceilings in the area of Glennallen and decided to turn around. The weather then seemed to improve and the pilot once again headed toward Glennallen. The pilot indicated that the weather conditions again deteriorated and he decided to land at Skelton airstrip for fuel. The pilot evaluated the runway surface from the air. The runway appeared hard-packed with numerous tracks on the surface. The pilot performed a soft field landing on runway 03 and during the touchdown, the main landing gear dug into about 9 inches of soft snow. The airplane then nosed over and received damage to the nose wheel, engine, and vertical stabilizer. The airport/facility directory for Skelton airstrip states in part: "Airport remarks - unattended. Runway condition not monitored, recommend visual inspection prior to using. Runway 03/21 rough and soft when wet, dips and bumps in runway... Runway 03 last 1,120 feet narrows to 15 feet wide. Airport maintained by local parties on an unofficial basis."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:20 AKST
Nearest AirportSKELTON (0nm)
Runway3
Runway Length2400 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150M
Tail NumberN88808
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRed Baron Air
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind30° @ 3 kt, gusting 6 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data