# NTSB ANC15CA068: Cessna 180B, N59180, Skwentna, AK, August 30, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 30, 2015, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Skwentna, AK - Coordinates: 62.433612, -151.414993 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.4336&lon=-151.4150&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 3, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 91898 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC15CA068 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91898/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91898 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC15CA068 ## Probable cause The pilot's excessive use of brakes during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072606), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=2072606), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=2072606), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072606), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 180B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072606), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while landing his tundra tire-equipped, tailwheel airplane at a remote airstrip, he encountered light windshear on short final. The airplane subsequently touched down harder than expected and bounced. In an effort to recover from the bounce, the pilot applied forward elevator control. After the main wheels were firmly on the ground, he applied aft elevator control and brake pressure, which resulted in the airplane nosing over and sustaining substantial damage to the rudder, vertical stabilizer, wings and right lift strut. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while landing his tundra tire-equipped, tailwheel airplane at a remote airstrip, he encountered light windshear on short final. The airplane subsequently touched down harder than expected and bounced. In an effort to recover from the bounce, the pilot applied forward elevator control. After the main wheels were firmly on the ground, he applied aft elevator control and brake pressure, which resulted in the airplane nosing over and sustaining substantial damage to the rudder, vertical stabilizer, wings and right lift strut. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N59180](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N59180), registered now, S/N 50582, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180B (B) - Registry model: [Cessna 180B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180b) (registry code 2072606) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470R](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470r) (registry code 17071, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 50582 - Year built: 1980 - Airframe hours: 3640.1 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O 470R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Operator: Above Alaska Aviation - Registered owner: Aspenglow LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2015 - Departed: PATK, Talkeetna, AK - Destination: PVT, Skwentna, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: PVT, Chelatna Lake Strip, runway 24, 1,600 × 75 ft, gravel - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 5, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 899 total, 6 in this make and model, 899 as pilot in command, 121 in the last 90 days, 82 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.36 inHg - Observed at: PATK, 42 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 20150830016309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150830016309A), Aug 30, 2015: Cessna 180B, Skwentna, AK, Substantial damage. On August 30 at 10:30 am pilot was landing at off airport strip south of chilatna lake. Pilot bounced the aircraft and put forward pressure on elevator to… ## Other investigations on N59180 (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 SEA03LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA032), Feb 2, 2003: Cessna 180 B (N59180), Klamath Falls, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: Failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions while landing. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 6, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91898. 2.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438555&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.