# NTSB ANC89FA155: Cessna 180, N2137Z, Anchorage, AK, September 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1989, 10:57 local (18:57 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.18909, -149.940887 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1891&lon=-149.9409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5122
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89FA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5122/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89FA155

## Probable cause

OIL LEAK IN THE OIL COOLER. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: OIL FILM ON THE WINDSHIELD, WHICH OBSCURED THE PILOT'S VISION (VISUAL PERCEPTION) AND HAMPERED HIS ABILITY TO ATTAIN PROPER RUNWAY ALIGNMENT, AN OBJECT (ROCK), AND HIGH VEGETATION BESIDE THE AIRSTRIP.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - lubricating system,oil cooler - leak (cause)
  - fluid,oil - leak (cause)
  - 
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - dirty(foggy) (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural perception (contributing factor)
  - object - other (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
- Nose down, landing

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ON A TEST FLT AFTER AN ANNUAL INSPN WAS COMPLETED. DRG FLT, AN OIL FILM APPEARED ON THE WINDSHIELD, SO HE TURNED BACK TO LAND AT THE DEPARTURE ARPT (MERRILL FIELD). BEFORE REACHING MERRILL FIELD, THE OIL FILM BECAME HEAVY & OIL PRESSURE BEGAN DROPPING. THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND AT A PVT AIRSTRIP. DRG THE APCH, HE SLIPPED THE ACFT FOR VISIBILITY. HE SAID HE MADE A NORMAL TOUCHDOWN, BUT DRG THE LANDING, THE ACFT DRIFTED TO THE LEFT, HIT A ROCK & SOME HIGH VEGETATION, THEN NOSED DOWN. AN EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED THERE WAS A SMALL LEAK IN THE ENG OIL COOLER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2137Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2137Z), registered now, S/N 18051237, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180f) (registry code 2072614) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18051237
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Anderson, Kenneth
- Registered owner: Kenneth Anderson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1989, 1 hours before
- Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Airport: O'Malley, runway 16, 1,600 × 60 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,512 total, 970 in this make and model, 2,394 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 52 °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 19890902035499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890902035499A), Sep 2, 1989: Cessna 180F, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Oil on windshield. Nosed up on forced landing running off side of Private strip. Oil cooler ruptured, lost all oil.

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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