# NTSB ANC05CA066: Cessna 180, N4685A, Anchorage, AK, April 27, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 26, 2005, 19:00 local (Apr 27, 2005, 03:00 UTC) - Place: Anchorage, AK - Coordinates: 61, -151.433334 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.0000&lon=-151.4333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Anchorage FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 61384 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC05CA066 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61384/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC05CA066 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area, which resulted in an on ground encounter with terrain during the landing roll, and subsequent nose down of the airplane. A factor associated with the accident was soft terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - Nose down, landing - roll ## Analysis The certificated private pilot was landing on a grass-covered, off airport site. During the landing roll, the main landing gear encountered soft terrain, and the airplane nosed down, receiving substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On April 26, 2005, about 1900 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N4685A, sustained substantial damage while landing at an off airport site, about 12 miles northwest of Anchorage, Alaska. The solo private pilot was not injured. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated about 1730, from the Lake Hood Airstrip, Anchorage, Alaska. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on April 28, the pilot reported that during the landing roll on a grass-covered site, the main landing gear wheels encountered soft terrain, and the airplane nosed down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4685A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4685A), registered now, S/N 32282, 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: 32282 - Airframe hours: 2447.5 - Engines: Continental O-470K 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Peter C. Schaab - Registered owner: Peter C. Schaab - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2005, 15 hours before - Departed: Z41, Anchorage, AK - Destination: Anchorage, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 654 total, 177 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F ## 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 20050426007599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050426007599A), Apr 26, 2005: Cessna 180, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) According to the pilot, after touchdown and during the landing roll out on a grassy and muddy area, the aircraft nosed over. ## Other investigations on N4685A (1) 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 ANC04LA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04LA066), Jun 21, 2004: Cessna 180 (N4685A), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop/swerve, and the left wingtip and propeller striking the runway. A factor associated with… 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.