# NTSB ANC89LA011: Cessna 180, N820AK, Seldovia, AK, October 22, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 21, 1988, 17:00 local (Oct 22, 1988, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Seldovia, AK
- Coordinates: 59.390838, -151.659622 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.3908&lon=-151.6596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 8, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5141
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5141/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA011

## 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
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND HIS CESSNA 180 AIRPLANE ON THE BEACH NEAR SELDOVIA, AK. THE MAIN LANDING GEAR ENCOUNTERED A SOFT SPOT DURING THE LANDING ROLL, AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. AFTERWARD, THE PILOT ELECTED TO FLY THE AIRPLANE TO ITS HOME BASE 150 MILES FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE WITHOUT OBTAINING A FERRY PERMIT OR HAVING THE AIRPLANE EXAMINED BY A CERTIFIED AIRPLANE MECHANIC. THE AIRPLANE HAD SUSTAINED MAJOR STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE WING SPAR AND FUSELAGE. THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT THE ACCIDENT UNTIL QUESTIONED BY THE NTSB.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N820AK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N820AK), registered now, S/N 18052892, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180k) (registry code 2072624) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18052892
- Airframe hours: 1050
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cottrell, David J., doing business as D. J. Rentals
- Registered owner: D. J. Rentals
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 1988, 25 hours before
- Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK

## 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: 734 total, 573 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °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 19881021047809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881021047809A), Oct 21, 1988: Cessna 180K, Seldovia, AK, Substantial damage. Landed on a beach, hit soft sand, nosed over. Flew aircraft with substantial damage including spar to repair base.

## Other investigations on N820AK (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 ANC90LA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA106), Jul 1, 1990: Cessna 180K (N820AK), Homer, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

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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