# NTSB ANC88LA139: Cessna 180B, N3539E, Fairbanks, AK, September 11, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1988, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Fairbanks, AK
- Coordinates: 64.810493, -147.72026 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8105&lon=-147.7203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 19, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5080
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5080/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA139

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - aborted
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, takeoff - aborted

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT DRG AN ABORTED TAKEOFF, THE ACFT OVERRAN THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY & THE LEFT MAIN GEAR FAILED. HE SAID HE MISJUDGED THE PERFORMANCE OF THE ACFT, & WHEN HE ABORTED, THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT RWY REMAINING TO STOP. ALSO, HE BELIEVED THE HI DENSITY ALT, SOFT RWY, GUSTY WINDS & UPWARD SLOPING RWY CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACDNT. THE ARPT ELEV WAS 2100 FT; THE TEMP WAS ABOUT 65 DEG. THE PLT RPRTD THE WIND WAS FROM 080 DEG AT 10 GUSTING 20 KTS.

## 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: 6249
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-K 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fred Ensign
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 6, 1987, 80 hours before
- Destination: NORTH POLE, AK
- Airport: Goldking Mining

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 80 in this make and model, 35 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19880911038999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880911038999A), Sep 11, 1988: Cessna 180B, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Misjudged performance. Aborted too late and overran runway. Gusty wind, soft uphill strip, crosswind were factors.

## 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 ANC86LA159](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC86LA159), Sep 1, 1986: Cessna 180B (N3539E), Clear, 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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