# NTSB ANC89FA075: Cessna 180J, N9949N, Anchorage, AK, May 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1989, 15:53 local (23:53 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.160289, -149.990417 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1603&lon=-149.9904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5108
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89FA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5108/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89FA075

## Probable cause

PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S POOR JUDGEMENT, AND HIS LACK OF INITIAL TRAINING (NONE) IN SEAPLANE OPERATIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate initial training, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - performance data - not understood, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRLINE TRANSPORT CERTIFICATED PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKE OFF FROM A 3,500' LAKE AT GROSS WEIGHT IN A FLOAT EQUIPPED CESSNA 180 AIRPLANE. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO BECOME AIRBORNE ON THE FIRST TAKE OFF ATTEMPT. HIS SECOND ATTEMPT WAS SUCCESSFUL, BUT HE BECAME AIRBORNE LATE IN THE TAKE OFF RUN AND COLLIDED WITH TREES ON THE SHORE LINE, NARROWLY MISSING TWO HOUSES. THE PILOT WAS NOT RATED FOR, AND HAD TAKEN NO FORMAL INSTRUCTION IN, SEAPLANE OPERATIONS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT. A LOCAL PILOT/WITNESS SAID THAT HE WATCHED THE TAKE OFF AND SAW WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS OBVIOUSLY POOR TECHNIQUE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9949N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9949N), registered now, S/N 18052604, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180J
- Registry model: [Cessna 180J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180j) (registry code 2072622) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18052604
- Airframe hours: 5898
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Colson, Kevin A.
- Registered owner: Colson, Kevin A
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 18, 1988, 37 hours before
- Airport: NONE, Sand Lake

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,423 total, 270 in this make and model, 4,344 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ANC, 2 nm away

## 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 19890522012179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890522012179A), May 22, 1989: Cessna 180J, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Unable to leave water first try. Lifted late on second try. Unable to climb. Hit trees. Overloaded and unskilled.

## Other investigations on N9949N (2)

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 ANC26LA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC26LA089), Aug 19, 2026: Cessna 180J (N9949N), Bettles, AK, substantial damage, investigation ongoing
- [NTSB GAA18CA492](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA492), Aug 15, 2018: Cessna 180 (N9949N), Ambler, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in the left wing and horizontal stabilizer striking the ground.

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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