N447AF

Substantial
None

CESSNA 172RS/N: 17280447

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, March 5, 2011
NTSB Number
ANC11CA014
Location
Montana Creek, AK
Event ID
20110308X42511
Coordinates
62.042499, -150.075836
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to recognize that he was landing at the wrong airstrip on a snow-covered and unplowed runway, resulting in the airplane nosing over.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N447AF
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
17280447
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1998
Model / ICAO
172RC72R
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
COPPER RIVER AIRMOTIVE LLC
Address
HC 60 BOX 251B
Status
Deregistered
City
COPPER CENTER
State / Zip Code
AK 99573-9704
Country
United States

Analysis

According to the pilot, he was flying from one airport to another using a highway as a reference. He saw an airport that he thought was the destination airport, and made a straight-in approach for landing. Just before touching down, the pilot realized that he was not landing at the correct airport, and was landing on a snow-covered and unplowed private airstrip. He stated that he did not have time to go around, and landed on the snow. The airplane crossed a snow machine track and nosed over. The engine firewall and both wings sustained substantial damage.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC11CA014