# NTSB ANC84LA123: Cessna 180H, N3476Y, Chicken, AK, July 28, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1984, 19:00 local (Jul 28, 1984, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Chicken, AK
- Coordinates: 64.070228, -142.009887 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.0702&lon=-142.0099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4328
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC84LA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4328/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA123

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE TO DAWSON CITY, CANADA, THE PLT ENCOUNTERED DETERIORATING WX. THE CLOUDS WERE NEAR THE TOPS OF THE RIDGES & THE ACFT WAS BENEATH THE CLOUD LAYER IN A SLOW FLT CONFIGURATION. THE PLT SAID THAT HE TRIED TO MAKE A 180 DEG TURN, BUT THE ACFT STALLED & PITCHED DOWN. HE HAD NEARLY RECOVERED FROM THE STALL & WAS IN A WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE WHEN THE ACFT HIT TREES & THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3476Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180H
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18051976
- Airframe hours: 2400
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-K 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William L. Melchert
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 26, 1983, 126 hours before
- Departed: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK
- Destination: DAWSON
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,358 total, 729 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19840727038759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840727038759A), Jul 27, 1984: Cessna 180H, Chicken, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted 180 turn in slow flight configuration in lowering weather conditions. Airplane stalled and crashed.

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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