# NTSB ANC85LA098: Cessna 180, N5159E, Northway, AK, June 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 19, 1985, 18:55 local (Jun 20, 1985, 02:55 UTC)
- Place: Northway, AK
- Coordinates: 62.999748, -141.689971 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.9997&lon=-141.6900&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4503
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC85LA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4503/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA098

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING ARRIVAL, THE PLT LANDED THE TAIL WHEEL EQUIPPED ACFT ON RWY 22 WITH A X-WIND FROM 290 DEG AT 8 KTS. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE ACFT ENTERED A GROUND LOOP & WAS DAMAGED. A CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.249%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5159E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 50459
- Airframe hours: 3000
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-K 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John R. Reynolds
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: JNU, JUNEAU, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: ORT, Northway, runway 22, 5,130 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 18,000 total, 400 in this make and model, 18,000 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 150 in the last 30 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORT

## 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 19850619030369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850619030369A), Jun 19, 1985: Cessna 180B, Northway, AK, Substantial damage. Aircraft ground looped on landing. Pilot arrested for flying while under the influence of alcohol.

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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