# NTSB ANC00LA057: Cessna 180K, N2785K, Anchorage, AK, May 10, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 9, 2000, 17:07 local (May 10, 2000, 01:07 UTC) - Place: Anchorage, AK - Coordinates: 61.219963, -149.850051 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2200&lon=-149.8501&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 30, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 50959 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC00LA057 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50959/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA057 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadvertent ground loop/swerve during landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The solo commercial pilot was landing on runway 24, in a tailwheel and tundra tire equipped airplane on a paved runway. The pilot stated that after landing the airplane's right main wheel 'grabbed,' and the airplane ground looped to the right. During the ground loop, the left wing struck the runway, and the airplane nosed down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing leading edge, and left wing main spar. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On May 9, 2000, about 1707 Alaska daylight time, a tailwheel and tundra tire equipped Cessna 180K airplane, N2785K, sustained substantial damage while landing at Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated about 1220, from the Sand Point Airport, Sand Point, Alaska. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on May 11, the pilot reported that while landing on runway 24, during the landing roll, the right main wheel "grabbed", and the airplane ground looped to the right. During the ground loop, the left wing struck the runway, and the airplane nosed down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing leading edge, and left wing main spar. The Merrill Field weather observation at the time of the accident consisted of: Sky conditions and ceiling, 7,000 scattered, 20,000 overcast; visibility, 10 statute miles; wind, 270 degrees (magnetic) at 10 knots; altimeter, 29.99 inHg. The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2785K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2785K), registered now, S/N 18053067, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180K - Registry model: [Cessna 180K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180k) (registry code 2072624) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18053067 - Airframe hours: 1700 - Engines: Continental O-470U 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Paul R. Gronholdt - Registered owner: Gronholdt Development Co. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1999 - Departed: SPD, SAND POINT, AK - Airport: MRI, Merrill Field, runway 24, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 2,200 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MRI ## 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 20000509042179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000509042179A), May 9, 2000: Cessna 180K, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. (-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… ## Other investigations on N2785K (2) 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 CEN26LA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA150), Mar 27, 2026: Cessna 180K (N2785K), Beloit, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing with a quartering headwind. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s runway selection based on the variable and gusting wind… - [NTSB CEN10CA358](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA358), Jun 26, 2010: Cessna 180K (N2785K), Cahokia, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The fatigue failure of the axle's attaching bolts during landing. 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.