# NTSB ANC85LA071: Cessna 180, N5206E, Willow, AK, April 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1985, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Willow, AK
- Coordinates: 61.890602, -149.730667 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.8906&lon=-149.7307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4483
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4483/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA071

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
- Nose over, other

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT WHILE HE WAS ON FINAL APCH FOR A TOUCH-&-GO LANDING. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN IN WET SNOW ABOUT 30 YARDS SHORT OF THE RWY & NOSED OVER. THE PLT ESTIMATED THE WIND WAS FROM 010 DEG AT 5 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5206E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5206E-2022-11-05), registration cancelled 2022-11-05, S/N 50506, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180b) (registry code 2072606) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 50506
- Airframe hours: 2902
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-K 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Nile P. Ersland
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 1984, 30 hours before
- Departed: ANC, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Airport: Z22, Willow, runway 31, 4,600 × 105 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 362 total, 120 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point -0 °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 19850422015879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850422015879A), Apr 22, 1985: Cessna 180B, Willow, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft landed hard and short of runway and flipped over during attempted recovery.

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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