# NTSB ANC16CA040: Cessna 180, N9203T, Nome, AK, July 4, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 3, 2016, 20:30 local (Jul 4, 2016, 04:30 UTC) - Place: Nome, AK - Coordinates: 64.51361, -165.385559 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.5136&lon=-165.3856&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 12, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA ASI AL-01 - NTSB case key (mKey): 93590 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC16CA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93590/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93590 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC16CA040 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate glide path during landing, which resulted in the airplane landing short of the runway and impacting a barricade. Contributing to the accident was the airport manager's improper placement and marking of a metal barricade that encroached on the runway safety area. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180C, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072608), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2072608), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wall/barricade](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022027): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022027/cases.md?model=2072608), [All aircraft, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022027/cases.md) - [Action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Airport personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/cases.md?model=2072608), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wall/barricade](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022027): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition; cases with it: [Cessna 180C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022027/cases.md?model=2072608), [All aircraft, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022027/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=2072608), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 180C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072608), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Airport occurrence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/070); cases with it: [Cessna 180C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/070/sequence.md?model=2072608), [All aircraft, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/070/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that while landing on a gravel surfaced runway in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, a downdraft was encountered, which forced the airplane to the ground prematurely. The airplane subsequently impacted an estimated 38-inch-high metal barricade that was located about 90 feet from the runway threshold resulting in substantial damage to the right wing lift strut The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport manager stated that the metal barricade sections were erected each summer season to prevent All-Terrain Vehicles from using the runway, thus mitigating runway incursions. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that while landing on a gravel surfaced runway in a tailwheel-equipped airplane, a downdraft was encountered, which forced the airplane to the ground prematurely. The airplane subsequently impacted an estimated 38-inch-high metal barricade that was located about 90 feet from the runway threshold resulting in substantial damage to the right wing lift strut The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport manager stated that the metal barricade sections were erected each summer season to prevent All-Terrain Vehicles from using the runway, thus mitigating runway incursions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9203T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9203T), registered now, S/N 50703 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 180 (C) - Registry model: [Cessna 180C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180c) (registry code 2072608) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 50703 - Year built: 1960 - Airframe hours: 5119 - Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 23, 2015 - Departed: 5QC, QUARTZ CREEK, AK - Destination: 94Z, Nome, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 94Z, Nome City Field, runway 21, 1,950 × 110 ft, gravel - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 537 total, 266 in this make and model, 484 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 20 knots, gusting 29 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 28,000 ft broken - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: PAOM, 1 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 20160703010389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160703010389A), Jul 3, 2016: Cessna 180C, Nome, AK, Substantial damage. PIC was on final approach to runway 21 at city field Nome Alaska at approximately 50 feet AGL and 70 mph with a 28 knot quartering head wind . The aircraft… ## Other investigations on N9203T (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 FTW66F0435](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW66F0435), Dec 5, 1965: Cessna 180C (N9203T), Alvin, TX, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 30, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93590. 1.7 MB in all. - Record of Conversation, Airport Manager (item 1, .PDF, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443919&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation,%20Airport%20Manager-Master.PDF - Airport Manager Statement (item 2, .PDF, 107 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443920&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airport%20Manager%20Statement-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation, Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443922&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation,%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Accident Photographs (Courtesy of FAA and Airport Manager) (item 4, .PDF, 4 photos, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443923&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photographs%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA%20and%20Airport%20Manager)-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.