# Accident 20000509042179A: Cessna 180K, Anchorage, AK, May 9, 2000

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 9, 2000, 17:07 local time
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Airport: Merrill Field Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Level Off Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 61.2200° N, 149.8501° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2200&lon=-149.8501&mi=10
- Aircraft: N2785K, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2785K) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 180K (registry code 2072624, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180k) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental O-470 series (registry code 17026, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180K
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 2,000 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC00LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA057) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000509042179A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON MAY 09, 2000, AT OR ABOUT 1707ADT A TUNDRA TIRE WHEEL EQUIPPED CESSNA 180, N2785K, REGISTERED TO GRONHOLDT DEVELOPMENT CO. AND PILOTED BY PAUL GRONHOLT A CERTIFICATED PILOT LANDING AT MERRILL FIELD, ALASKA, EXPERIENCED A HARD LANDING, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE WING, PROPELLER, AND COWLING.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC00LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA057), May 10, 2000: Cessna 180K (N2785K), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadvertent ground loop/swerve during landing.

## Other reports on N2785K (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20260327004689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260327004689A), Mar 27, 2026: Cessna 180K (N2785K), Beloit, KS, Substantial damage. The pilot in command (PIC) reported conducting a final approach to runway 35 with variable winds from 030–040 degrees at 18 knots, gusting to 23 knots. The PIC…
- [Accident 20100626040189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100626040189A), Jun 26, 2010: Cessna 180K (N2785K), Cahokia, IL, Substantial damage. On landing rollout, aircraft seemed to be tracking to the right despite left rudder input. Pilot experienced a "bang" and the aircraft moved abruptly and…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.
