# NTSB ANC14CA021: Cessna 180, N3125D, North Pole, AK, March 27, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 27, 2014, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: North Pole, AK - Coordinates: 64.489997, -147.25 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.4900&lon=-147.2500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-into takeoff position: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 5, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 88980 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC14CA021 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88980/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88980 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14CA021 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane while taxiing on a snow covered runway, which resulted in a collision with a terrain. ## 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 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) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 65 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-into takeoff position: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); 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) - [Taxi-into takeoff position: 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 Prior to departure, the pilot was taxiing a ski-equipped airplane back-and-forth on a hard-packed, snow-covered runway, to warm up the engine oil, and polish any frost that might have accumulated on the bottom of the skis. During the last taxi pass the airplane began to drift to the left. He applied full right rudder, and a short burst of full engine power in attempt to correct for the drift, but the airplane continued to the left, striking trees along the edge of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative Prior to departure, the pilot was taxiing a ski-equipped airplane back-and-forth on a hard-packed, snow-covered runway, to warm up the engine oil, and polish any frost that might have accumulated on the bottom of the skis. During the last taxi pass the airplane began to drift to the left. He applied full right rudder, and a short burst of full engine power in attempt to correct for the drift, but the airplane continued to the left, striking trees along the edge of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3125D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3125D), registered now, S/N 31923, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180 (UNDESIGNAT) - 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: 31923 - Year built: 1955 - Airframe hours: 3098 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Henry David W - Registered owner: Henry David W - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2013 - Departed: 31AK, North Pole, AK - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 31AK, Dalrymple's Airport, runway 24, 2,400 × 100 ft, snow - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 24, 2013; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 72.1 total, 23.3 in this make and model, 39.5 as pilot in command, 4.6 in the last 90 days, 3.5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 3 knots - Visibility: 85 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 7 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: PAFB, 5 nm away ## 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 20140327005229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140327005229A), Mar 27, 2014: Cessna 180, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. An onsite inspection of N3125D and the accident site was performed. The runway orientation is east/west. The pilot taxied to the east and turned around. The… ## Other investigations on N3125D (3) 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 ANC18LA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18LA048), Jun 23, 2018: Cessna 180 (N3125D), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the brake line tube due to an improper flare. - [NTSB ANC77DAA15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC77DAA15), Apr 9, 1977: Cessna 180 (N3125D), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB UNK64X1312](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X1312), Apr 14, 1964: Cessna 180 (N3125D), Concord, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 22, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88980. 521 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 476 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412622&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 45 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40412623&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.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.