# NTSB ANC16CA014: Cessna 180, N2253C, Sleetmute, AK, February 14, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 14, 2016, 14:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Sleetmute, AK - Coordinates: 61.206665, -157.167221 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2067&lon=-157.1672&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 3, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 92722 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC16CA014 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92722/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92722 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC16CA014 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to make contact with an unsuitable landing surface, resulting in a nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); 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) - [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) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was on a personal cross-country flight to a remote, off-airport site, in a tailwheel-equipped airplane. The pilot said that before landing he intended to fly a low pass over the snow-covered site to determine the condition of the snowpack, a maneuver commonly known as dragging the landing site. He said that as the main landing gear wheels touched down atop the frozen layer of crusty snow, the wheels broke through, and the airplane subsequently nosed over sustaining substantial damage to the left wing and vertical stabilizer. The pilot stated there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot was on a personal cross-country flight to a remote, off-airport site, in a tailwheel-equipped airplane. In an effort to assess the suitability of the selected landing area, the pilot stated that he executed a maneuver commonly referred to as "dragging the runway." He said he made a low pass with the intention of the landing gear contacting the snow while keeping the weight of the airplane off the wheels. He said as the main landing gear wheels touched down atop the frozen layer of crusty snow, the wheels broke through, and the airplane subsequently nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the left wing and vertical stabilizer. The pilot stated there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2253C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2253C), registered now, S/N 30553 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180 - 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: 30553 - Year built: 1953 - Airframe hours: 5900 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Crow Jack R - Registered owner: Crow Jack R - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 2015, 35 hours before - Departed: BET, BETHEL, AK - Destination: SLQ, Sleetmute, AK - Airport: SLQ, Sleetmute - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 2, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,000 total, 1,250 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 23 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 29.35 inHg - Observed at: PANI, 72 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 20160214003769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160214003769A), Feb 14, 2016: Cessna 180, Sleetmute, AK, Substantial damage. PIC was on a part 91 flight from bet to a cabin on the holitna river (see GPS coordinates) with a passenger. Conducted 2 "drags" on the river with main wheels… ## 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=92722. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438544&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.