# NTSB ANC85FA078: Cessna 180H, N9042M, Anchorage, AK, May 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 7, 1985, 20:34 local (May 8, 1985, 04:34 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.219112, -149.849884 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2191&lon=-149.8499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4405
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85FA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4405/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85FA078

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE ACFT RAN OUT OF FUEL AFTER THE PLT EXTENDED HIS ORIGINAL FLT PLAN ROUTE TO CIRCUMNAVIGATE AREAS OF POOR WEATHER. THE ACFT WAS OVER WATER WHEN FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED AND THE ACFT WAS DITCHED UNDER UNFAVORABLE CONDITIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9042M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9042M-2013-05-17), registration cancelled 2013-05-17, S/N 18052142, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180H
- Registry model: [Cessna 180H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180h) (registry code 2072618) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18052142
- Airframe hours: 1536
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stephen S. Hart
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 22, 1985, 10 hours before
- Departed: HOM, HOMER, AK
- Destination: LHD, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 572 total, 348 in this make and model, 514 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 25 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft

## 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 19850507018329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850507018329A), May 7, 1985: Cessna STC180, Anchorage, AK, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Ditched after engine quit. Fuel exhausted after diversions without adding fuel. Extensive carburetor heat use.

## Other investigations on N9042M (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 ANC76DAG16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAG16), Jul 23, 1975: Cessna 180 (N9042M), Daneka Lake, 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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