# Accident 20240310002519A: Cessna 180, Skwentna, AK, March 10, 2024

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 10, 2024, 10:30 local time
- Place: Skwentna, AK
- Airport: Talaheim
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Taxi
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 61.6758° N, 151.3856° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6758&lon=-151.3856&mi=10
- Aircraft: N7741A, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7741A) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 180 (registry code 2072602, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental O-470 series (registry code 17026, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC24LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA018) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240310002519A

## Narrative

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

PILOT STATEMENT TAKEN BY PHONE AT 1325.

WHILE BACK TAXING ON A NARROW SNOW PACKED RUNWAY, WITH STRAIGHT SKIS INSTALLED, AT ABOUT 15 TO 20 MILES PER HOUR, THE AIRCRAFT HIT A SNOW DRIFT.

THIS CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO SINK AND PULL TO THE LEFT.

THE PILOT APPLIED POWER TO GET THE AIRCRAFT BACK ON THE RUNWAY.

THAT IN TURN, CAUSED THE LEFT WING TO STRIKE A SMALL TREE BRANCH, ABOUT 3 TO 4 INCHES IN DIAMETER. WHICH MADE THE AIRCRAFT YAW TO THE LEFT, EXERTING A SIDE LOAD ON THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR WHICH CAUSED IT TO BRAKE OFF. ONCE THE GEAR BROKE OFF, THE RIGHT WING CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE GROUND CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE WING.

PILOT'S RISK MITIGATION PLAN:

THE PILOT WOULD INCREASE THE WIDTH OF THE RUNWAY COME SUMMER, AND THE PILOT WOULD USE THE HELICOPTER INSTEAD OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE WINTER MONTHS.

## 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 ANC24LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA018), Mar 10, 2024: Cessna 180 (N7741A), Skwentna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while taxiing, which resulted in a collision with trees.

## Other reports on N7741A (2)

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

- [Accident 20260621007069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260621007069A), Jun 21, 2026: Cessna 180 (N7741A), Skwentna, AK, Substantial damage. While conducting a part 91 flight on 06/20/2026 the PIC attempted to land heading 36 at their private airstrip around 1500 hours. The PIC stated they…
- [Accident 20070808018189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070808018189A), Aug 8, 2007: Cessna 180 (N7741A), Skwentna, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) Lost right brake on landing causing a ground loop, damaging a wing and wing spar. 08/21/07: 8020-23 completed this date and not expected to be amended.

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.

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