# NTSB ANC89FA130: Cessna 180A, N9681B, Wasilla, AK, July 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 29, 1989, 13:25 local (21:25 UTC)
- Place: Wasilla, AK
- Location: 61.5785° N, 149.4763° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Wasilla, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5785&lon=-149.4763&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5117
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89FA130
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5117/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89FA130

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHILE MANEUVERING BACK TOWARD THE LAKE WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL. THE HOUSE & TREES WERE CONSIDERED TO BE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - residence (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - initiated
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT FLEW THE FLOAT PLANE TO COTTONWOOD LAKE FOR MAINTENANCE. A QUICK DRAIN WAS INSTALLED IN ONE WING OF THE ACFT & THE OTHER WING TANK WAS DRAINED. THE PLT WAS AWARE OF THE LOW FUEL CONDITION, BUT DID NOT VISUALLY INSPECT THE TANKS BEFORE THE FLT. THE MECHANIC, WHO WORKED ON THE ACFT, TOLD THE PLT OF THE LOW FUEL CONDITION, BUT THE PLT BELIEVED THERE WAS SUFFICIENT FUEL TO FLY TO WASILLA LAKE, WHICH WAS JUST 3 MI WEST OF COTTONWOOD LAKE. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG LOST POWER. THE PLT TRIED TO TURN BACK TO COTTONWOOD LAKE TO LAND, BUT DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH ALT. HE SAID THE ACFT STALLED & CRASHED INTO TREES AS HE WAS TURNING AWAY FROM A HOUSE. LESS THAN ONE GAL OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN ONE TANK & THE OTHER TANK HAD ABOUT 1 QUART OF FUEL REMAINING. ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL, 1.5 GAL OF FUEL WAS UNUSABLE IN MANEUVERING FLT & ONE GAL WAS UNUSABLE IN LEVEL FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9681B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9681B-1992-08-12), registration cancelled 1992-08-12, S/N 32978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180A
- Registry model: [Cessna 180A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180a) (registry code 2072604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32978
- Airframe hours: 3311
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-K 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Erich P. Napflin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 14, 1989, 184 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 350 total, 183 in this make and model, 325 as pilot in command, 183 in the last 90 days, 87 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °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 19890729025809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890729025809A), Jul 29, 1989: Cessna 180A, Wassila, AK, Substantial damage. Warned of low fuel. Took off from a lake and ran out of fuel on climbout. Stalled into trees to avoid a house.

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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