# NTSB ANC00LA026: Cessna 180, N4961A, Glennallen, AK, February 8, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 8, 2000, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Glennallen, AK - Coordinates: 62.100601, -145.530853 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.1006&lon=-145.5309&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 48735 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC00LA026 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48735/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA026 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing site on a frozen, snow-covered lake. A factor associated with the accident was an area of drifted snow at the landing site. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - snow covered - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot reported he was landing his ski-equipped airplane on a frozen, snow-covered lake to await improved weather conditions. During the landing roll, he said he did not see an area of drifted snow. The left main landing gear ski encountered the snow drift, and the airplane turned to the left and nosed over, sustaining substantial damage. ## Factual narrative On February 8, 2000, about 1300 Alaska standard time, a ski-equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N4961A, sustained substantial damage while landing at Caribou Lake, about 30 miles west-southwest of Glennallen, Alaska. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight departed Nabesna, Alaska, about 1130, and was en route to Anchorage, Alaska. The flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a formal flight plan. During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC) about 45 minutes after the accident, the pilot related he made an intermediate stop at Caribou Lake to wait out deteriorating weather conditions. During the landing roll, the left main landing gear ski encountered deep, drifted snow, and the airplane turned to the left, nosed over, and received substantial damage to the left wing, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane, and that he just didn't see the drifted snow in time to avoid it. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4961A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4961A), registered now, S/N 32358, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180 - Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32358 - Airframe hours: 6576 - Engines: Continental O-470-K 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Wendell K. Ellis - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, February 2, 2000, 3 hours before - Departed: 75Z, NABESNA, AK - Destination: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,500 total, 502 in this make and model, 5,385 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 25 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20000208042029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000208042029A), Feb 8, 2000: Cessna 180, Glenallen, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) According to the pilot, during landing on a snow covered lake with his ski equipped Cessna 180, the following occurred. When the left ski contacted the… ## Other investigations on N4961A (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 FTW77FPD07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW77FPD07), Jan 3, 1977: Cessna 180 (N4961A), Ballinger, TX, substantial damage 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. --- 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.