# NTSB ANC01LA079: Cessna 180, N4989A, Willow, AK, July 2, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 2, 2001, 06:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Willow, AK - Coordinates: 61.757499, -150.05278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.7575&lon=-150.0528&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 3, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 52630 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC01LA079 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52630/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA079 ## Probable cause A fire of undetermined origin, following a precautionary landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - normal - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command - Fire, taxi - from landing - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) ## Analysis The certificated private pilot stated that about 15 minutes after departure, while in level, cruise flight, the engine began to run rough, so he elected to make a precautionary landing on a remote lake. After landing, while taxiing to shore, flames erupted from under the engine cowling, and quickly spread throughout the cabin of the airplane. The pilot was unable to bring the fire under control, and was eventually forced to abandon the airplane, and swim to shore. An FAA inspector examined the airplane at the accident scene, and reported that the fire totally consumed the main fuselage, engine nacelle, and both inboard portions of the wings. He added that the engine eventually fell into the water, but was later recovered. The inspector reported that due to the substantial amount of fire damage, he was not able to discern the origin of the fire. ## Factual narrative On July 2, 2001, about 0645 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N4989A, was destroyed by fire following a precautionary landing at a remote lake located about 2 miles north of Houston, 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 certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at Willow Lake, Willow, Alaska, about 0630. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on July 2, the pilot stated that about 15 minutes after departure, while in level, cruise flight, the engine began to run rough. He said that he elected to make a precautionary landing on a remote lake to investigate the engine problem. After an uneventful landing and while taxiing to shore, flames erupted from under the engine cowling, and quickly spread throughout the cabin of the airplane. The pilot was unable to bring the fire under control, and was eventually forced to abandon the airplane, and swim to shore. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector, Anchorage Flight Standards District Office, examined the airplane at the accident scene on July 5. The FAA inspector reported that the fire totally consumed the main fuselage, engine nacelle, and both inboard portions of the wings. He added that the engine eventually fell into the water, but was later recovered by the insurance adjuster during the recovery efforts. The inspector reported that due to the substantial amount of fire damage, he was not able to discern the origin of the fire. The pilot did not submit a Pilot/Operator report (NTSB form 6120.1/20). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4989A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4989A-2001-12-06), registration cancelled 2001-12-06, S/N 32386, 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: 32386 - Engines: Lycoming O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Philip D. Horton - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: UUO, Willow, AK - Destination: WAS, Wasilla, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,000 total, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 10 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles ## 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 20010702039829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010702039829A), Jul 2, 2001: Cessna 180, Houston, AK, Destroyed. (-23) On July 2, 2001, at 0645 adt, Mr. Philip horton, the pilot and sole occupant of float-equipped Cessna 180, N4989A, made an emergency landing on zero… 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.