# NTSB ANC01LA023: Cessna 180, N4955A, Chugiak, AK, December 14, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 14, 2000, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Chugiak, AK - Coordinates: 61.409378, -149.170181 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4094&lon=-149.1702&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 17, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 51023 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC01LA023 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51023/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA023 ## Probable cause The failure of a mechanic to ensure the throttle linkage was secure. A factor in the accident was the pilot's failure to take remedial action during an emergency landing and overrun. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb - throttle/power lever,linkage - loose part/bolt/nut/clamp/etc (cause) - maintenance,installation - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - Overrun, emergency landing after takeoff - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - object - fence - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The commercial certificated pilot had just gotten the airplane from a maintenance facility after the engine had been disassembled. The engine was reinstalled by a mechanic who made several engine runs to check for leaks and proper rigging of the engine controls. The pilot said an engine run-up to 1,700 rpm before takeoff was normal. Just after lift-off, the pilot said the engine did not seem to be producing full power, and the airplane would not climb above about 300 feet. He decided to return to the airport, and when the pilot pulled the throttle control to idle, the engine power did not change. It continued to run at less than full throttle, but he could not make any power changes, up or down. The pilot said he descended to the runway, but since he could not reduce power, continued to fly down the length of the runway until reaching the end. He said he was flying at low level, and did not remember to shut-off the engine with the mixture or magnetos. Upon reaching the end of the runway, he banked the airplane to the left along a taxiway. The taxiway abruptly ended at a six feet high fence. The airplane collided with the fence, and then struck numerous trees beyond the fence. The airplane received damage to the engine, wings, and fuselage. The mechanic, and another mechanic employee observed the airplane climb to about 500 feet and then return for landing. During the landing, the airplane touched down on the runway for about 5 to 7 seconds on the main landing gear tires. The touchdown point appeared to be about mid-length of the runway. The airplane then lifted off to about 40 feet until reaching the end of the runway. It banked hard to the left, bounced the main wheels on the taxiway, and disappeared from view. After the accident, the mechanic recovered the airplane. During a postaccident examination of the engine, the nut that clamps the throttle linkage to the carburetor throttle arm, was found to be loose. ## Factual narrative On December 14, 2000, about 1400 Alaska standard time, a wheel-equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N4955A, sustained substantial damage after colliding with a fence and trees at the Birchwood Airport, Chugiak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR), local personal flight, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The commercial certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on December 15, 2000, the pilot reported he had just gotten the airplane from a maintenance facility at the Birchwood airport, and he was planning to fly to the Elmendorf Air Force Base, Anchorage, Alaska. The pilot said he performed an engine run-up to 1,700 rpm before takeoff. The run-up was normal. He then departed on runway 19R and began a left turn-out. Just after lift-off, the pilot said the engine did not seem to be producing full power. He did not recall the amount of power, but the airplane would not continue to climb above about 300 feet. He decided to return to the airport and began a landing approach to runway 19R. When the pilot pulled the throttle control to idle, the engine power did not change. It continued to run at less than full throttle, but he could not make any power changes, up or down. The pilot said he descended to the runway, but since he could not reduce power, continued to fly down the length of the runway until reaching the end. He said he was flying at low level, and did not remember to shut-off the engine with the mixture or magnetos. Upon reaching the end of the runway, he banked the airplane to the left along a taxiway. The taxiway abruptly ended at a six feet high fence. The airplane collided with the fence, and then struck numerous trees beyond the fence. The airplane received damage to the engine, wings, and fuselage. During a telephone interview with the maintenance facility personnel and the NTSB IIC, the mechanic/owner of the facility reported that the airplane's engine was removed and disassembled due a previous propeller strike. The engine was reinstalled, and had several engine runs to check for leaks and proper rigging of the engine controls. The mechanic, and another mechanic employee, observed the pilot perform an engine run-up before departing. The airplane appeared to only climb to about 500 feet and then return for landing. During the landing, the airplane touched down on the runway for about 5 to 7 seconds on the main landing gear tires. The touchdown point appeared to be about mid-length of the runway. The airplane then lifted off to about 40 feet until reaching the end of the runway. It banked hard to the left, bounced the main wheels on the taxiway, and disappeared from view. After the accident, the maintenance facility personnel recovered the airplane. During a postaccident examination of the engine, the nut that clamps the throttle linkage to the carburetor throttle arm, was found to be loose. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4955A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4955A-2012-12-18), registration cancelled 2012-12-18, S/N 32352 (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: 32352 - Airframe hours: 4400 - Engines: Continental O-470-K reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lawrence W. Seethaler - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 2000, 17 hours before - Departed: PABV - Destination: PAED, ANCHORAGE, AK - Airport: PABV, Birchwood, runway 19R, 4,010 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 703 total, 255 in this make and model, 570 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PAB ## 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 20001214041839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001214041839A), Dec 14, 2000: Cessna 180, Birchwood, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) This matter is still under investigation. An amendment will be submitted when more information is obtained. ## Other investigations on N4955A (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 ANC11FA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC11FA037), May 27, 2011: Cessna 180 (N4955A), Chugiak, AK, substantial damage, 5 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's loss of control of the airplane during takeoff, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in make and model, his lack of… - [NTSB ANC99LA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA004), Oct 15, 1998: Cessna 180 (N4955A), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions. Factors associated with the accident were a crosswind, and loose gavel. 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.