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NTSB Report

December 28, 2008 · Cessna 172S · N453SP

Girdwood, AK

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 28, 2008
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Girdwood, AK
Aircraft
Cessna 172S
Tail Number
N453SP
Operator
U S Air Force
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC09CA016

The private pilot/student, seated in the left seat, and the certified flight instructor, seated in the right seat, departed on a visual flight rules flight for mountain flying instruction and an Aero Club airplane checkout. The instructor decided to have the pilot land at an airport that had a 2,088 foot long runway. The first approach to the airport was high and fast, and the landing approach was aborted. On the second approach, the airplane was again high and fast, and touched down about 600 to 800 feet beyond the runway threshold. The runway surface was compacted snow and ice, and the braking action was poor. The airplane collided with a snow berm at the end of the runway, and received substantial damage to the landing gear and fuselage. The flight instructor did not take control of the airplane at any time before or during the accident sequence.

NTSB Probable Cause

The flight instructor's lack of action to correct a high and fast landing approach which resulted in a long landing, and subsequent collision with a snow berm at the end of the runway. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's improper approach.

Full Narrative

The private certificated pilot/student, seated in the left seat, and the certified flight instructor, seated in the right seat, departed on a VFR instructional flight for the purpose of mountain flying instruction, and an Aero Club airplane checkout. The instructor decided to have the pilot land at an airport that had a 2,088 foot long runway. The first approach to the airport was high and fast, and the landing approach was aborted. On the second approach, the airplane was again high and fast (75 knots), and touched down about 600 to 800 feet beyond the runway threshold. The runway surface was compacted snow and ice, and the braking action was poor. The airplane collided with a snow berm at the end of the runway, and received structural damage to the landing gear and fuselage. The flight instructor did not take control of the airplane at any time before or during the accident sequence.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 AKST
Nearest AirportGIRDWOOD (0nm)
Runway19
Runway Length2008 ft
Runway Width73 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172S
Tail NumberN453SP
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorU S Air Force
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360L2A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 26 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 32 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data