# NTSB ANC08LA055: Cessna 180, N3043E, Kodiak, AK, April 21, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 21, 2008, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Kodiak, AK - Coordinates: 57.75, -152.493896 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.7500&lon=-152.4939&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 8, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA-AL-ANC FSDO 03 - NTSB case key (mKey): 67913 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC08LA055 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67913/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08LA055 ## Probable cause A loss of control during the landing roll due to a failure or malfunction of the brake system, resulting in a loss of control, and structural damage to the airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: landing gear brakes system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 92 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023240/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 64 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: main gear strut/axle/truck](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023213): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Cessna 180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023213/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 86 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023213/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was landing a tailwheel equipped airplane at the conclusion of a cross-country business flight. As the tailwheel touched down, it began to wobble, and the pilot applied the brakes. The left brake was ineffective, and the airplane ground looped to the right. As a consequence, the left main landing gear axle and wheel separated from the landing gear strut, and the airplane received structural damage. The pilot indicated that he previously had a malfunction of the left brake, which was remedied by the addition of brake fluid, but he did not find any leak at that time. The airplane was not inspected by NTSB or FAA personnel. ## Factual narrative On April 21, 2008, about 1130 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N3043E, sustained substantial damage following a loss of control during the landing roll at the Kodiak Airport, Kodiak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country business flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, and the two passengers, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from a private airstrip at Kasilof, Alaska, about 0930. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on April 21, the pilot reported that he was landing on the asphalt surface of runway 25, and as the tailwheel touched down, it began to wobble. The pilot said he applied the brakes, but the left brake was ineffective, and the airplane ground-looped to the right. The left main landing gear axle and the left main wheel, separated from the landing gear strut. The airplane received damage to the left main gear and the firewall. In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) submitted by the pilot, he reported that the airplane previously had a malfunction of the left brake, but he did not specify the date of the previous problem. He said he serviced the brake system with hydraulic fluid, which resolved the problem, and indicated that he did not find a leak in the brake system. Following the accident, the airplane was not inspected by NTSB or FAA personnel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3043E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3043E-2016-08-29), registration cancelled 2016-08-29, S/N 30898, built 1954 (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: 30898 - Engines: Continental O-470 230 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Brian D. Nolan - Registered owner: Brian D. Nolan - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 8, 2007 - Departed: Kasilof, AK - Destination: PADQ, Kodiak, AK - Airport: PADQ, Kodiak, runway 25, 7,542 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 13, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 1,350 total, 350 in this make and model, 1,350 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,900 ft overcast - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.35 inHg - Observed at: PADQ ## 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 20080421835389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080421835389A), Apr 21, 2008: Cessna 180, Kodiak, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) On April 21, 2008, at 11:30 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equiped Cessna 180, N3043E, sustained substantial damage as a result of loss of control… ## Other investigations on N3043E (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 ANC15FA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15FA066), Aug 23, 2015: Cessna 180 (N3043E), Kasilof, AK, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on postaccident examination and testing. 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.