Cessna 172M accident near Palmer, AK
On May 15, 1998, a Cessna 172M (airplane) was involved in an accident near Palmer, AK. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- May 15, 1998
- Place
- Palmer, AK
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172M · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 61.620°N, 148.980°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001211X09965
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 15, 1998, about 0915 Alaska daylight time, a Cessna 172M airplane, N9212H, was destroyed when it impacted mountainous terrain near the 8,600 feet msl level of the Radcliffe Glacier, about 38 miles east of Palmer, Alaska, at position 61 degrees, 21 minutes North latitude, 147 degrees, 52 minutes West longitude. The private pilot and the sole passenger sustained fatal injuries. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, as a personal flight from Big Lake, Alaska, to Petersburg, Alaska. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at Palmer, Alaska, at the time of the accident. Weather at the accident site is unknown. A direct route of flight from Big Lake to the location of the wreckage would have taken the airplane over the Knik Glacier. This glacier constitutes continually rising terrain from Palmer, to the crest of the Chugach Mountain Range. The mountains are extremely rugged, and covered by glaciers and a large ice field at the higher elevations. The ice field area where the airplane came to rest is surrounded by peaks extending to 10,610 feet msl. The general direction of flight is eastward, and required the airplane climb from sea level to a minimum of 9,000 feet msl to clear the passes. The airplane was reported overdue by a friend in Petersburg, Alaska, at 1100 on May 16. The airplane was located about 2300 on May 16, by an Alaska Air National Guard C-130 airplane. INJURIES TO PERSONS Both occupants were confirmed to be deceased about 2300 on May 16. Severe injuries were not described by the two National Guard pararescuemen (PJs) who reache
Probable cause
The pilot's intentional flight into known adverse weather conditions. Contributing factors were the terrain induced turbulence, clouds, the pilot's overconfidence in his abilities, and mountainous terrain conditions.
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Browse: Alaska · Cessna aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
