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NTSB Report
February 15, 1990 · Cessna 172 · N4305L
Fairbanks, AK
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 15, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Fairbanks, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N4305L
Operator
Glynn E Behrend
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC90LA033
RPRTDLY, THE ACFT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 3 TO 4 MONTHS WITH THE FUEL TANKS EMPTY. WHEN IT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY FLOWN, THE ENG BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH & WOULD NOT SUSTAIN FLT. DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN DEEP SNOW, THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND, BUT ABOUT ONE OUNCE OF WATER WAS FOUND IN THE GASCOLATOR. A MECHANIC NOTED THAT AT SOME TIME BEFORE THE FLT, HE ATTEMPTED TO DRAIN THE FUEL SUMPS, BUT THEY WOULD NOT DRAIN (AS THOUGH FROZEN).
NTSB Probable Cause
WATER (OR ICE) CONTAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT'S FUEL, AND AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: SNOW COVERED TERRAIN IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.
Full Narrative
RPRTDLY, THE ACFT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 3 TO 4 MONTHS WITH THE FUEL TANKS EMPTY. WHEN IT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY FLOWN, THE ENG BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH & WOULD NOT SUSTAIN FLT. DURING AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN DEEP SNOW, THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND, BUT ABOUT ONE OUNCE OF WATER WAS FOUND IN THE GASCOLATOR. A MECHANIC NOTED THAT AT SOME TIME BEFORE THE FLT, HE ATTEMPTED TO DRAIN THE FUEL SUMPS, BUT THEY WOULD NOT DRAIN (AS THOUGH FROZEN).
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:45 AKST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN4305L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGlynn E Behrend
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-D · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 10 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO