# NTSB ANC09CA027: Cessna 180K, N2801K, Bettles, AK, April 3, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 2, 2009, 17:00 local (Apr 3, 2009, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Bettles, AK - Coordinates: 66.913887, -151.528884 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=66.9139&lon=-151.5289&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 28, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration (Airworthiness) - NTSB case key (mKey): 73612 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC09CA027 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73612/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73612 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09CA027 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable landing area. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 180K, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2072624), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot reported that he was landing on the frozen snow-covered lake in a ski-equipped airplane. During the landing roll the airplane's main landing gear skis encountered a snowdrift, which stripped the nuts that connect the skis to the main landing gear axle. Both skis separated and the airplane's left main landing gear leg collapsed. The left wing struck the snow-covered frozen lake. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot said that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane, and noted in his report to the NTSB that he should have inspected the landing site before landing, then selected a better area to land on. ## Factual narrative The commercial pilot reported that he was landing on the frozen snow-covered lake in a ski-equipped airplane. During the landing roll the airplane's main landing gear skis encountered a snowdrift, which stripped the nuts that connect the skis to the main landing gear axle. Both skis separated and the airplane's left main landing gear leg collapsed. The left wing struck the snow-covered frozen lake. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot said there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane, and noted in his report to the NTSB that he should have inspected the landing site before landing, then selected a better area to land on. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2801K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2801K), registered now, S/N 18053072, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180K - Registry model: [Cessna 180K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180k) (registry code 2072624) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18053072 - Airframe hours: 8913 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Carrier Timothy Levite - Registered owner: Carrier Timothy Levite - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 25, 2008, 60 hours before - Departed: PAFA, Fairbanks, AK - Destination: Bettles, AK - Flight plan: VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 11, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 1,671 total, 190 in this make and model, 1,640 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 19 °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 20090402046879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090402046879A), Apr 2, 2009: Cessna 180K, Iniakuk Lake, AK, Substantial damage. NTSB# ANC09CA027 ptrs# AL01200902135PILOT landed on Iniakuk Lake which was snow coverd with drifts. The aircraft impacted a drift which took the skis off the… ## Other investigations on N2801K (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 SEA02LA105](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA02LA105), Jun 23, 2002: Cessna 180K (N2801K), Idaho Falls, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during the landing roll. A crosswind was a factor. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 1, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73612. 654 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 654 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314061&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.