# NTSB ANC83LA129: Cessna C-180D, N6439X, Barrow, AK, July 25, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1983, 16:30 local (Jul 25, 1983, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Barrow, AK
- Coordinates: 71.279403, -156.780685 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=71.2794&lon=-156.7807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4146
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83LA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4146/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA129

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - terrain condition - sand bar (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS TAXIING DOWNRIVER, DOWNWIND IN ORDER TO GET AROUND TWO BENDS IN THE RIVER TO A STRAIGHT SECTION WHERE A TAKEOFF COULD BE MADE. THE LEFT FLOAT OF THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A SANDBAR, CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO ROLL END OVER END.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6439X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6439X-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 18050939, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C-180D
- Registry model: [Cessna 180D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180d) (registry code 2072610) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Airframe hours: 2500
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard H. Coffin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 9, 1982, 200 hours before
- Destination: BRW, BARROW, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: BRW, Barrow

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 400 total, 200 in this make and model, 380 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BRW, 60 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 19830724039959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830724039959A), Jul 24, 1983: Cessna 180D, Barrow, AK, Substantial damage. Struck a sandbar while taxiing down a river on the step. Float plane then tumbled and stopped inverted.

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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