# NTSB ANC09CA097: Cessna 180J, N42250, Juneau, AK, September 9, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 9, 2009, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Juneau, AK - Coordinates: 58.48722, -133.939437 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.4872&lon=-133.9394&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 29, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 74706 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC09CA097 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74706/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74706 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09CA097 ## Probable cause The pilot's misjudged flare and loss of control during a glassy water landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: glassy surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023025/cases.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 180J, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072622), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot reported that he was landing the float-equipped airplane on glassy water at the conclusion of a local personal flight under Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. He said immediately upon touchdown, the airplane abruptly flipped forward, and nosed over. The pilot and sole passenger exited the airplane uninjured and were soon rescued. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot indicated there was no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The private pilot reported that he was landing the float-equipped airplane on glassy water at the conclusion of a local personal flight under Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. He said immediately upon touchdown, the airplane abruptly flipped forward, and nosed over. The pilot and sole passenger exited the airplane uninjured and were soon rescued. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot indicated there was no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N42250](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42250-2015-06-22), registration cancelled 2015-06-22, S/N 18052331, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180J - Registry model: [Cessna 180J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180j) (registry code 2072622) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18052331 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Michael Ward - Registered owner: Ward Kenneth R - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: N/A, Juneau, AK - Destination: N/A, Juneau, AK - Airport: N/A ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 187 total, 111 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20090909049669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090909049669A), Sep 9, 2009: Cessna 180J, Juneau, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot misjudged proper landing attitute when touching down for a glassy water, upriver landing. The aircraft flipped over and came to rest approximately 50… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 26, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74706. 959 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 959 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40320508&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.