# NTSB ANC88LA098: Cessna 180A, N5327D, Northway, AK, July 27, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1988, 11:19 local (19:19 UTC)
- Place: Northway, AK
- Coordinates: 62.999351, -141.690948 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.9994&lon=-141.6909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 9, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5041
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5041/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA098

## 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
  - flt control syst,rudder control - disconnected (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIALLY CERTIFICATED PILOT WAS LANDING AT NORTHWAY, AK., WHEN THE AIRPLANE GROUND-LOOPED TO THE LEFT. HE REPORTEDLY HAD ALSO GROUND-LOOPED THE SAME AIRPLANE WHEN HE LANDED AT WHITEHORSE, CANADA, JUST PRIOR TO THE LANDING AT NORTHWAY. A POST-ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT RUDDER RETURN SPRING WAS NOT CONNECTED, CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO VEER TO THE LEFT UPON TOUCHDOWN. THE PILOT HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED THE AIRPLANE AND WAS ON A PLEASURE FLIGHT TO ALASKA. HIS TOTAL TAIL-WHEEL EXPERIENCE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS ABOUT 35 HOURS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5327D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5327D), registered now, S/N 50225, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180A
- Registry model: [Cessna 180A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180a) (registry code 2072604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 50225
- Airframe hours: 3796
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-K 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Leslie Robert Tupper
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 3, 1987, 70 hours before
- Departed: H-1C, WHITEHORSE
- Destination: ORT, NORTHWAY, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: ORT, Northway, runway 4, 5,100 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 500 total, 35 in this make and model, 470 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ORT

## 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 19880727028209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880727028209A), Jul 27, 1988: Cessna 180A, Northway, AK, Substantial damage. Ground looped on landing. Found right rudder return spring was detached from a prior landing and gound looped.

## Other investigations on N5327D (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 LAX70D0041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX70D0041), Jul 20, 1969: Cessna 180A (N5327D), Adelanto, CA, 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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