# NTSB ANC88LA071: Cessna 180H, N9939V, Big River, AK, June 26, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1988, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Big River, AK
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5014
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5014/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA071

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing
  - terrain condition - hidden obstruction(s) (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, taxi - from landing
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE TAXIING ON THE LAKE THE AIRCRAFT'S RIGHT FLOAT STRUCK A LOG CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT'S LEFT WING TO STRIKE THE WATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9939V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9939V), registered now, S/N 18051791, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180H
- Registry model: [Cessna 180H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180h) (registry code 2072618) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18051791
- Airframe hours: 966
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Arron Downing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 17, 1988, 48 hours before
- Departed: FINGER LAKE, AK
- Destination: BIG RIVER LAKE, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 2,910 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °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 19880626025579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880626025579A), Jun 26, 1988: Cessna 180H, Big River Lake, AK, Substantial damage. After landing on a lake aircraft struck a floating log while taxiing. This caused left wing to impact water.

## Other investigations on N9939V (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 GAA19CA378](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA378), Jun 28, 2019: Cessna 180 (N9939V), Wasilla, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the left wing striking bushes. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distorted visual perception…

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.