# NTSB ANC04LA030: Cessna 180, N7937V, Chugiak, AK, March 12, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 12, 2004, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Chugiak, AK
- Coordinates: 61.400001, -149.512222
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4000&lon=-149.5122&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 58908
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC04LA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58908/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04LA030

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind condition during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of control, and an on ground collision with a snow bank.  A factor associated with the accident was a crosswind.

## 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
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snowbank
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

The private certificated pilot reported that he was landing on runway 1L, which required a correction for a 7 knot left crosswind.  The pilot stated that after touchdown, he inadvertently allowed the airplane to veer to the right, and off the right side of the runway.  The airplane's main wheels subsequently struck a snow bank, and the airplane nosed over.  The airplane sustained structural damage to the left wing, fuselage, and empennage.  The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

## Factual narrative

On March 12, 2004, about 1200 Alaska standard time, a wheel-equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N7937V, sustained substantial damage following a loss of control while landing at the Birchwood Airport, Chugiak, Alaska.  The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred.  The private certificated pilot and the sole passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.  The flight originated at the Lake Hood Airstrip, Anchorage, Alaska, about 1130.

During a telephone conversation with a National Transportation Safety Board investigator on March 12, the pilot reported that was landing on runway 1L, which required a correction for a 7 knot left crosswind.  The pilot stated that after touchdown, he inadvertently allowed the airplane to veer to the right, and off the right side of the runway.  The airplane's main wheels subsequently struck a snow bank, and the airplane nosed over.  The airplane sustained structural damage to the left wing, fuselage, and empennage.  The pilot noted that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.

The pilot did not complete the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7937V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7937V), registered now, S/N 18051837, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180h) (registry code 2072618) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18051873
- Engines: Continental O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles M. Sage
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Z41, Anchorage, AK
- Destination: BCV, Chugiak, AK
- Airport: BCV, Birchwood, runway 1L, 4,010 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 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 20040312006419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040312006419A), Mar 12, 2004: Cessna 180H, Birchwood, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot intended to practice takeoffs and landings in the Birchwood Airport traffic pattern. For the first landing of the day he elected to perform a…

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.

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