# NTSB ANC84LA148: Cessna 180, N2641Y, Iliamna Bay, AK, August 28, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 28, 1984, 06:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Iliamna Bay, AK
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4347
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC84LA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4347/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA148

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, taxi - to takeoff
  - landing gear,float assembly - cracked
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,float assembly - leak (cause)
- Miscellaneous/other, taxi - to takeoff
  - landing gear,float assembly - leak
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, pilot in command
  - aircraft preflight - poor, pilot in command
  - passenger briefing - not performed, pilot in command
  - equipment,other - inadequate, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE ACFT STRUCK A GRAVEL BAR WHILE TAXIING. THE ACFT WAS NOT FREED FROM THE GRAVEL BAR UNTIL THE NEXT MORNING DUE TO A RECEDING TIDE ON THE PREVIOUS NIGHT. APPROX 3 HOURS LATER AS THE PILOT TAXIED AROUND AWAITING DAYLIGHT FOR TAKEOFF, THE ACFT ROLLED OVER IN THE WATER AND EVENTUALLY SANK. PRIOR TO THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE ACFT, THE PILOT NOTICED TWO 1 INCH DENTS IN THE SUBMERGED FLOAT WITH BUBBLES COMING OUT OF THEM. THE PILOT ALSO STATED THAT THE FLOATS ROUTINELY LEAKED AND NEEDED TO BE PUMPED OUT DAILY, HOWEVER HE INDICATED THAT THIS WAS NOT ACCOMPLISHED BETWEEN THE TIME THE ACFT STRUCK THE GRAVEL BAR AND THE TIME IT SANK. THERE WERE NO APPROVED PERSONAL FLOATATION DEVICES ABOARD THE ACFT. THE FOUR INDIVIDUALS ABOARD THE PLANE USED INFLATED HIP WADERS DURING AN ATTEMPT TO SWIM FOR SHORE. TWO INDIVIDUALS WERE LOST AND PRESUMED DROWNED IN THIS ATTEMPT. WATER TEMPERATURE WAS APPROX 45 DEGREES F.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2641Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2641Y-2012-09-21), registration cancelled 2012-09-21, S/N 180-51141, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18051141
- Airframe hours: 4260
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jerry S. Pippen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 1984, 30 hours before
- Destination: PEDRO BAY, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,050 total, 300 in this make and model, 3,050 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °F

## 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 19840828044039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840828044039A), Aug 28, 1984: Cessna 180, Iliamna, AK, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Aircraft sank in bay because of leaking float. Two passengers did not make shore because of cold water.

## Other investigations on N2641Y (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 ANC74AA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC74AA052), Jan 8, 1974: Cessna 180 (N2641Y), Bethel, 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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