# NTSB ANC86LA022: Cessna 180, N3165D, Port Alsworth, AK, January 20, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 20, 1986, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Port Alsworth, AK
- Coordinates: 60.199539, -154.279312 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.1995&lon=-154.2793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (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): 4633
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86LA022
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4633/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA022

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,tank - contamination (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,tank - water (cause)
  - fuel system,line - contamination (cause)
  - fuel system,line - water (cause)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB OUT APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND THE ENGINE QUIT. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED INTO A ROW OF TREES AND THE PILOT WAS NOT INJURED. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE REVEALED NO MALFUNCTION OR MECHANICAL FAILURE. INSPECTION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED WATER IN BOTH THE FUEL TANKS AND FUEL LINES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3165D (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31963
- Airframe hours: 1692
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bobby Graham
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 6, 1985, 100 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,873 total, 207 in this make and model, 1,667 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 16 °F, dew point -0 °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 19860120001069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860120001069A), Jan 20, 1986: Cessna STC180, Port Alsworth, AK, Substantial damage. Collided with a row of trees after takeoff from a frozen lake. Engine quit on initial climb. Water in fuel line.

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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