# NTSB ANC84FA080: Cessna 180G, N4708U, Tyonek, AK, June 2, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 1, 1984, 22:10 local (Jun 2, 1984, 06:10 UTC)
- Place: Tyonek, AK
- Coordinates: 61.080528, -151.160644 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.0805&lon=-151.1606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4211
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC84FA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4211/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84FA080

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

TAKING OFF FROM AN ABANDONED ROAD NEAR A FISHING CAMP, THE CESSNA TURNED BACK AND DESCENDED WITH POWER ON OVER HIS DEPARTURE POINT, HEADING INTO THE SUN WHICH WAS LOW ON THE HORIZON. IT COLLIDED LEFT WING TO LEFT WING WITH THE MAULE WHICH HAD CLIMBED OUT AT A STEEP ANGLE FROM THE SAME ROAD. THE MAULE PILOT STATED THAT HE SAW THE CESSNA IMMEDIATELY AFTER LOWERING THE NOSE OF HIS AIRCRAFT, AND INITIATED AN UNSUCCESSFUL AVOIDANCE MANEUVER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Midair collision, maneuvering
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - reduced, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - conflicting, pilot in command (cause)
  - low pass - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Midair collision, takeoff - initial climb
  - pull-up - excessive, pilot in command
  - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: N4708U (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180G
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18051408
- Airframe hours: 2656
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-4 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Frederick Allen Day
- Registered owner: Frederick Allen Day
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 26, 1984, 3 hours before
- Departed: THEODORE RIVER, AK
- Destination: ANC, ANCHORAGE, AK

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N9297E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9297E), registered now, S/N 6203C, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-5-210C
- Registry model: [Maule M-5-210C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-5-210c) (registry code 5460134) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540-V4A5D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-v4a5d) (registry code 41807, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6203C
- Airframe hours: 335
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-D33A 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Erik Alan Opstad
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 31, 1984, 4 hours before
- Departed: THEODORE RIVER, AK
- Destination: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N4708U; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 486 total, 486 in this make and model, 376 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N9297E; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 243 total, 66 in this make and model, 189 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °F

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19840601076361A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840601076361A), Jun 1, 1984: Cessna 180G, Tyonek, AK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pilot made 180 and descended over takeoff point. Sun in eyes and not using radio, struck wing of climbing N9297E
- [Accident 19840601076362A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840601076362A), Jun 1, 1984: Maule M5210C, Tyonek, AK, Destroyed. Lowered nose after initial climb and saw N4708UON intercept course. Wings collided and both aircraft crashed.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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