# NTSB ANC03LA013: Cessna 180, N5355D, Larson Bay, AK, October 29, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 29, 2002, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Larson Bay, AK - Coordinates: 57.533332, -153.966659 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.5333&lon=-153.9667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 23, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 56021 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC03LA013 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56021/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA013 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance while landing, which resulted in an in-flight collision with a tree. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The commercial pilot was landing the airplane at an off-airport site that required an approach over trees. During the final approach phase of the landing, the left wing struck a previously unnoticed tree branch, and the airplane veered to the left of the intended touchdown point. The pilot attempted to correct to the right, but the airplane touched down to the left of the landing site and collided with trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On October 29, 2002, about 1600 Alaska standard time, a wheel-equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N5355D, sustained substantial damage when it struck trees while landing at a remote off airport site, located about 5 miles southeast of Larson Bay, 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 commercial pilot, and the one passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated about 1450, from the Homer Airport, Homer, Alaska. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge on November 7, the pilot reported that the off airport site he was landing at required an approach over a stand of trees near the beginning of the site. He said that during the final approach phase of the landing, the left wing struck a previously unnoticed tree branch, and the airplane veered to the left of the intended touchdown point. He said that he attempted to correct to the right, but the airplane touched down to the left of the landing site and collided with trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. The pilot did not submit an NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120. 1). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5355D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5355D), registered now, S/N 50253 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 180 - Registry model: [Cessna 180A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180a) (registry code 2072604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 50253 - Engines: Continental O-470-K 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John E. Sarvis - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: HOM, Homer, AK - Destination: 2A3, Larson Bay, AK - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots - Visibility: 20 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 20021029033339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021029033339A), Oct 29, 2002: Cessna 180A, Larsonbay, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) (Pilot was out of town on 11/12/02 till 11/26/02). Pilot fly's for f & w, no prior accidents/incidents. Has cabin on a beach 6 miles south east of larsen… 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.