Cessna R172K N736KP accident near Fairbanks, Alaska

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during landing.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that she purchased the airplane in July 2021 and had not flown it recently. The purpose of the flight was to reposition the airplane for an annual inspection. She reported that the night before the accident she spent two hours “chair flying” in preparation for the flight. The next day she departed from the local airport and completed one stop-and-go landing, which was completed without incident. She then departed and flew to the destination airport and intended to land on the gravel strip. During the landing flare, the airplane “ballooned slightly” and the airplane landed beyond the intended landing point. Upon touchdown, she pushed the yoke forward and applied brakes, then the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC22LA065 for the full record.