# NTSB ANC86LA159: Cessna 180B, N3539E, Clear, AK, September 1, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1986, 21:20 local (Sep 1, 1986, 05:20 UTC)
- Place: Clear, AK
- Coordinates: 64.299415, -149.149002 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.2994&lon=-149.1490&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): 4743
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC86LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4743/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA159

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PLT & PASSENGER WERE ON A HUNTING TRIP & HAD SELECTED A CLEARING ON A BRUSH COVERED HILLSIDE FOR A LANDING. THE CLEARING HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY USED AS AN AIRSTRIP. WHILE ON FINAL APCH TO LAND AT DUSK, THE PLT LOST SIGHT OF THE TOUCHDOWN AREA DUE TO DARKNESS & SHADOWS. DURING THE LANDING, HE OVERRAN THE LANDING ZONE. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR THEN ENCOUNTERED UNEVEN TERRAIN & COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3539E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3539E), registered now, S/N 50398, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180B
- Registry model: [Cessna 180B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180b) (registry code 2072606) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming GO-435](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-go-435) (registry code 41520, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 50398
- Airframe hours: 6100
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-K 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David Virgil Buchanan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: unknown, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 1,400 total, 600 in this make and model, 1,260 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °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 19860831045389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860831045389A), Aug 31, 1986: Cessna 180B, Clear, AK, Substantial damage. The pilot flew into the ground after losing visual references on a dusk approach to a clearing.

## Other investigations on N3539E (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 ANC88LA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA139), Sep 11, 1988: Cessna 180B (N3539E), Fairbanks, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.