# NTSB ANC87LA048: Cessna 180, N61537, Cordova, AK, March 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 12, 1987, 18:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Cordova, AK
- Coordinates: 60.789337, -145.610717 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.7893&lon=-145.6107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4831
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87LA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4831/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87LA048

## 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
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - aircraft parked/standing

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT AFTER TOUCHDOWN AND ABOUT 150 FEET OF THE ROLL, THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO EXIT THE GRAVEL RUNWAY AND STRIKING TWO PARKED AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N61537](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N61537), registered now, S/N 18052780, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180k) (registry code 2072624) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18052780
- Airframe hours: 2648
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-4 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Norman R. Roberts
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 26, 1986, 73 hours before
- Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: CKU, Cordova

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,320 total, 426 in this make and model, 4,215 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 36 °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 19870312005959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870312005959A), Mar 12, 1987: Cessna 180K, Cordova, AK, Substantial damage. The aircraft veered off the side of the runway striking two parked aircraft. No evidence of mechanical malfunction.

## Other investigations on N61537 (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 ANC81DAG68](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DAG68), Aug 23, 1981: Cessna 180 (N61537), Cordova, 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.

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