# Accident 20150912017149A: Cessna 180H, Delta Junction, AK, September 12, 2015

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 12, 2015, 16:00 local time
- Place: Delta Junction, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 64.0294° N, 146.8303° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.0294&lon=-146.8303&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4763U, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4763U) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 180H (registry code 2072618, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180h) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental O-470 series (registry code 17026, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180H
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 495 total, 250 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA15CA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA267) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150912017149A

## Narrative

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

ON APPROACH, THE WIND SHIFTED FROM CALM TO RIGHT QUARTERING TAILWIND CAUSING A  LOSS OF LIFT. THE SINK RATE INCREASED TO A POINT THAT THE DESIRED POINT OF TOUCHDOWN COULD NOT BE REACHED.  UPON DETERMINATION A GO-AROUND WAS REQUIRED, POWER WAS ADDED. THIS CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO YAW DUE TO P-FACTOR. INSUFFICIENT RUDDER CORRECTION WAS APPLIED WHICH CAUSED THE AIRPLANE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE TREES ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.  THIS CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO BE PULLED INTO THE TREE TOPS AND THE PROPELLER TO MAKE CONTACT. THE PROPELLER CONTACTING THE TREES AND THE RESULTING DEGRADED PERFORMANCE PRECLUDED A GO-AROUND.

AS THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO SETTLE ONTO A GRAVEL BAR IN THE RIVER, THE LEFT GEAR LEG MADE CONTACT WITH A LOG WHICH RIPPED IT FROM THE AIRCRAFTS STRUCTURE.

## 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 GAA15CA267](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA267), Sep 13, 2015: Cessna 180H (N4763U), Delta Junction, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to attain and maintain yaw control during the approach and attempted go around, which resulted in impact with trees and terrain.

## Other reports on N4763U (2)

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

- [Accident 19770515012309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770515012309A), May 15, 1977: Cessna 180H (N4763U), Paxson, AK, Substantial damage. NOTAM stated - Paxson skiis. Acft not ski equipped.
- [Accident 19760525014249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760525014249A), May 25, 1976: Cessna 180H (N4763U), Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage

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.
