# NTSB ANC12CA029: Cessna 180, N266V, Palmer, AK, March 30, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 30, 2012, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Palmer, AK - Coordinates: 61.186389, -148.592498 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1864&lon=-148.5925&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 28, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - Operations - NTSB case key (mKey): 83352 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC12CA029 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83352/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83352 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA029 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain during low-level maneuvering. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Light condition: flat light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 54 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that during a low-level reconnaissance pass of a landing site on a snow-covered glacier, flat light conditions made it difficult to discern topographical features. During the pass, the airplane's left wheel/ski struck the ground, and the left main landing gear collapsed. The left wing subsequently struck the snow-covered ice, sustaining substantial damage to the left wing, left wing lift strut, and fuselage. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that during a low level reconnaissance pass of a landing site on a snow-covered glacier, flat light conditions made it difficult to discern topographical features. During the pass the airplane's left wheel/ski struck the ground, and the left main landing gear collapsed. The left wing subsequently struck the snow-covered ice, sustaining substantial damage to the left wing, left wing lift strut, and fuselage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N266V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N266V), registered now, S/N 31215, 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: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 31215 - Engines: Teledyne Continental Motors O-520 Series 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: David B Eibeck - Registered owner: David B Eibeck - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2011, 20 hours before - Departed: Z41, Anchorage, AK - Destination: Palmer, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 500 total, 400 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg ## 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 20120330007359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120330007359A), Mar 30, 2012: Cessna 180, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot was attempting to land on the knik glacier. The pilot stated he had flown over the area several times previously on the same day. He was familiar with… ## Other investigations on N266V (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 ANC10CA050](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC10CA050), Jun 6, 2010: Cessna 180 (N266V), Kenai, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, resulting in the airplane nosing over during taxi. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 14, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83352. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40367906&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.