Cessna 150 accident near Talkeetna, Alaska, February 5, 2002
On February 5, 2002 at about 11:30 pm local time, a Cessna 150, registered N3829J, was substantially damaged in an accident near Talkeetna, Alaska (Talkeetna airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to remove sufficient ice/frost from the airplane prior to flight, and his failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees and terrain. A factor associated with the accident is the reduced climb capability of the airplane due to the existence of frost/ice on the airframe.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 5, 2002 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Talkeetna, Alaska · Talkeetna · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150 · all 150s on the register
- Registration
- N3829J · no longer on the register · serial 15065129
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot and a passenger were departing a rural airport on a dark winter night. The airplane was operating at or near its maximum gross weight. The pilot said the airplane accelerated and took off normally, but didn't seem to want to climb. He said he didn't look at the engine tachometer, but the engine "note" sounded lower than normal. He turned immediately after departure to follow lower terrain, and to avoid trees. He inadvertently turned towards rising terrain, and collided with trees. The passenger said he helped the pilot load the airplane, and noted that significant amounts of ice and frost remained on the airframe prior to takeoff. The passenger said the engine seemed to be running fine until they collided with trees.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,600 hours in all; 700 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 3,550 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 14, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,700 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 2, 2000; 62 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TKA Talkeetna AK at 11:25 pm
- Destination: MRI Anchorage AK
- Flight plan: VFR
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 355° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 6,500 ft; a few clouds at 2,800 ft
- Temperature: 28°F (-2°C), dew point 19°F (-7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.67 inHg
- Observation at 11:24 pm from patk, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.