Cessna 172R accident near Hope, Alaska, December 31, 2020
On December 31, 2020 at about 11:45 pm local time, a 1998 Cessna 172R, registered N949AF, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Hope, Alaska (Hope airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. A factor was the certified flight instructor’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 31, 2020 · about 11:45 pm local time
- Place
- Hope, Alaska · Hope · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172R, built 1998 · all 172Rs on the register
- Registration
- N949AF · no longer on the register · serial 17280449
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During an instructional flight, prior to landing, the pilots over flew the runway at pattern altitude to assess the runway conditions. The runway was observed snow-covered and appeared to have “recent tire track marks down the center of the runway”. The pilots chose to attempt a landing; however, during the touchdown, on the snow-covered runway, the main landing gear dug into the snow and the airplane decelerated rapidly. Subsequently, the nose-wheel entered the snow, “pivoting the airplane onto the nose”, and both wingtips struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport supplement remarks state: “Unattended. Be alert rwy condition not monitored. Recommend visual inspection prior to landing.” The flight instructor added that this accident could have been prevented by calling the airport and inquiring about the condition of the runway before the flight.
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
What happened, in order
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Dragged wing/rotor/float/other during landing
- Loss of control on ground during landing defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Instructor/check pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface › Snow/slush/ice covered surface › Ability to respond/compensate
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 254 hours in all; 170 in this make and model; 50 in the last 90 days; 16 in the last 30 days; 208 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 23, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 668 hours in all; 186 in this make and model; 104 in the last 90 days; 19 in the last 30 days; 582 as pilot in command; 395 on instruments
- Last flight review: May 31, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 2,600 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming I0360 SER (piston); 608 hours total
- Operator: Elmendorf Air Force Base Aero Club
The flight
- Departed from: JLA Cooper Landing AK at 11:20 pm
- Destination: PAED Anchorage AK
- Runway 35, 2,040 ft by 60 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 350° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 16°F (-9°C), dew point 10°F (-12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.71 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from PANC, 20 miles away
Weather report (METAR): PANC 312353Z 35004KT 10SM FEW200 M09/M12 A2971 RMK AO2 SLP063 4/016 I6000 T10891117 11078 21100 56014
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.