# NTSB ANC89LA037: Cessna 180, N9278C, Anchorage, AK, October 30, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 30, 1988, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.219329, -149.849487 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2193&lon=-149.8495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5162
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5162/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA037

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - from landing
  - flt control syst,rudder control - movement restricted (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, taxi - from landing
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING A POST-FLIGHT TAXI TO TIE DOWN. HE SAID THAT A SMALL FLASHLIGHT HAD FALLEN BEHIND THE LEFT RUDDER PEDAL AND LIMITED THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE AND RUDDER AVAILABLE FOR DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9278C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9278C-2018-01-29), registration cancelled 2018-01-29, S/N 31377, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31377
- Airframe hours: 4405
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gillis, Melvin B.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 28, 1988, 163 hours before
- Departed: ENA, KENAI, AK
- Airport: MRI, Merrill Field, runway 33, 2,469 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,805 total, 435 in this make and model, 179 in the last 90 days, 56 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 315° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °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 19881030001149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881030001149A), Oct 30, 1988: Cessna 180, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Ground looped while taxiing to tiedown damaging left wing tip. Found a flash light had blocked rudder pedal.

## Other investigations on N9278C (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 ANC04LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04LA001), Oct 10, 2003: Cessna 180 (N9278C), McCarthy, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The separation of the left main landing gear wheel from the gear leg, which resulted in a loss of directional control, and collapse of the right main landing gear. A factor contributing to the…
- [NTSB ANC94LA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA086), Jul 18, 1994: Cessna 180 (N9278C), Palmer, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN 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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