Cessna 172H accident near Fairbanks, Alaska, August 27, 2002
On August 27, 2002 at about 7:15 pm local time, a Cessna 172H, registered N3752F, was substantially damaged in an accident near Fairbanks, Alaska (Chena Marina airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the airplane exiting the runway and colliding with objects. Factors contributing to the accident were the rough and uneven runway, and the premature lift-off of the airplane.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 27, 2002 · about 7:15 pm local time
- Place
- Fairbanks, Alaska · Chena Marina · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172H · all 172Hs on the register
- Registration
- N3752F · registry record · serial 17255247
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, the tailwheel-equipped airplane encountered a bump in the runway, and became airborne prematurely. He said as the airplane descended to the runway, it yawed to the left, and when it touched down, it went off the left side of the runway. The pilot pulled the power off to abort the takeoff; however, the airplane subsequently struck a parked vehicle and 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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 472 hours in all; 382 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 410 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 22, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,037 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 17, 2001; 34 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300-D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AK28 Fairbanks AK at 2:15 pm
- Destination: PAMH Lake Minchumina AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 36, 4,700 ft by 80 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 11,000 ft; a few clouds at 5,500 ft
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from PAFA
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.
Other NTSB records under N3752F the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.