# NTSB ANC83FA154: Cessna 180, N2145Z, Fairbanks, AK, August 27, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1983, 19:45 local (Aug 27, 1983, 03:45 UTC)
- Place: Fairbanks, AK
- Coordinates: 64.809173, -147.719985 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8092&lon=-147.7200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4053
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83FA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4053/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83FA154

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AT APRX 1900 ADT, THE PLT & 2 PASSENGERS DEPARTED NORTH POLE, AK ON A FLT TO PORTAGE CREEK STRIP. DURING THE FLT, HE CONTACTED FLT SERVICE TO OBTAIN WX INFORMATION. HE ASKED FOR & WAS PROVIDED THE WX AT SEVERAL LOCATIONS. ALSO, HE STATED THAT HE WAS REALLY TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT THE WX WAS LIKE IN 'THE FOOTHILLS OF THE ALASKA RANGE DOWN TOWARD DELTA.' HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO REPORT FOR THAT AREA. AT APRX 1945 ADT, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH RISING TERRAIN NEAR THE TOP OF A MOUNTAIN RIDGE. REPORTEDLY, IT STRUCK THE MOUNTAIN AT APRX 4050 FT MSL WHILE IN LEVEL FLT. THE TOP OF THE RIDGE WAS ABOUT 4090 FT MSL. NO PREIMPACT/MECHANICAL WAS FOUND. THE PROPELLER BLADES WERE FOUND TWISTED & BENT & THE PROPELLER HAD SEPARATED FROM THE CRANKSHAFT DURING IMPACT. THE 2000 ADT WX AT FAIRBANKS, AK (54 MI SOUTHWEST OF THE CRASH SITE) WAS 1000 FT OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 30 MI, WIND FROM 240 AT 7 KTS, TEMP 51, DEW POINT 47. THE ELEVATION OF THAT REPORTING POINT WAS 434 FT MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2145Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2145Z-1984-08-01), registration cancelled 1984-08-01, S/N 18051245 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180f) (registry code 2072614) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18051245
- Airframe hours: 1435
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stephen F. Wuksinich
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 1983, 7 hours before
- Departed: NORTH POLE, AK
- Destination: PORTAGE CREEK, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,760 total, 700 in this make and model, 1,337 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAI, 54 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 19830826046709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830826046709A), Aug 26, 1983: Cessna 180F, Fairbanks, AK, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck near top of cloud obscured mountain. Mountain tops and passes in area were obscured.

## Other investigations on N2145Z (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 ANC70DAA08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC70DAA08), May 3, 1970: Cessna 180 (N2145Z), Port Heiden, AK, substantial damage

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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