# NTSB ANC21LA032: Cessna 180, N180RJ, Tyonek, AK, April 21, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 21, 2021, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Tyonek, AK - Coordinates: 59.3063, -154.5899 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.3063&lon=-154.5899&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 102963 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC21LA032 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102963/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA032 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of directional control while dragging the surface of an ice- and snow-covered lake in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in an impact with a tree. ## 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: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 180, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072602), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); 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 According to the pilot, he was dragging the surface of an ice- and snow-covered lake in his wheel and ski- equipped airplane near the shoreline to determine the snow conditions. Subsequently, a gust of wind pushed the airplane into a tree located on a spit of land. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations. In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot stated that the accident may have been prevented if he had done a better job of evaluating the conditions from the air or conducted operations directly into the wind. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N180RJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N180RJ), registered now, S/N 32414, built 1956 (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: 32414 - Year built: 1956 - Airframe hours: 2840 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Kindred David M - Registered owner: Kindred David M - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 2, 2021 - Departed: Soldotna, AK - Destination: Same as departure - Flight plan: VFR - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 29, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 749 total, 325 in this make and model, 679 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.27 inHg - Observed at: PAIL, 19 nm away - METAR: PAIL 212153Z 09006KT 10SM BKN080 OVC130 08/01 A3027 RMK AO2 SLP252 T00780006 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.