# NTSB ANC87FA030: Cessna C-180-H, N7990V, Delta Junction, AK, January 31, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 31, 1987, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Delta Junction, AK
- Coordinates: 63.700328, -144.889083 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.7003&lon=-144.8891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4767
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87FA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4767/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87FA030

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A GLACIER LANDING IN DAYLIGHT CONDITIONS AND WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN SURFACE REFERENCE. HE FLEW ONTO THE ICE AND LOST CONTROL IN VARYING SURFACE WINDS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (cause)
  - directional control - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7990V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7990V), registered now, S/N 18051890 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C-180-H
- Registry model: [Cessna 180H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180h) (registry code 2072618) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18051890
- Airframe hours: 3240
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Keith Alan Echelmeyer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 25, 1986
- Departed: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 752 total, 109 in this make and model, 664 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 10 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: -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 19870131001969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870131001969A), Jan 31, 1987: Cessna 180H, Delta Junction, AK, Substantial damage. The ski equipped aircraft flipped during a glacier landing. Low sun angle caused a type of whiteout condition.

## Other investigations on N7990V (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC71AA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC71AA025), Oct 24, 1970: Cessna 180H (N7990V), Snettisham, AK, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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