# NTSB ANC24LA003: Cessna 180H, N91393, McCarthy, AK, November 21, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: November 21, 2023, 21:00 UTC
- Place: McCarthy, AK
- Coordinates: 61.44, -142.9
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4400&lon=-142.9000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 193416
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC24LA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193416/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193416
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA003

## Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of directional control after touchdown which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing.

## 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 180H, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [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 180H, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 180H, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072618), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

While landing a wheel/ski-equipped airplane on a snow and ice-covered runway, after touchdown, the airplane began to slide to the right side of the runway. The pilot reported that the edge of a ski impacted a lip of ice which caused the airplane to nose down, and the right wing subsequently struck the ground, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N91393](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N91393), registered now, S/N 18052063, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180H
- Registry model: [Cessna 180H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180h) (registry code 2072618) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18052063
- Year built: 1969
- Airframe hours: 8335.1
- Engines: Continental IO520D116B 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 135
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 4, 2023
- Departed: PAGK, Gulkana, AK
- Destination: Same as departure
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: 15K, McCarthy, runway 01, 3,501 × 60 ft, snow
- Equipment: ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Handheld GPS, Satellite tracking device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 12, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,674 total, 315 in this make and model, 1,605 as pilot in command, 79 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -11 °F, dew point -17 °F
- Altimeter: 29.62 inHg
- Observed at: AGK, 84 nm away
- METAR: PAGK 211953Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR M24/M27 A2962 RMK AO2 SLP103 T12441272 TSNO

## Other investigations on N91393 (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 ANC25LA076](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA076), Jul 17, 2025: Cessna 180H (N91393), Gulkana, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the left rudder assembly which resulted in a runway excursion and ground loop.

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 28, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193416. 2.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16429802&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 480 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16429648&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC24LA003%20Photos-Rel.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.

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