# NTSB ANC89LA077: Cessna 180, N9944V, Green Island, AK, May 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1989, 09:40 local (17:40 UTC)
- Place: Green Island, AK
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 28, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5187
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5187/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA077

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO SELECT A SUITABLE LANDING AREA.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: ROUGH WATER CONDITIONS, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLOAT EQUIPPED CESSNA 180 AIRPLANE FLIPPED OVER WHILE LANDING NEAR GREEN ISLAND, AK. THE AIR TAXI PILOT WAS FLYING TWO BOAT CREW MEMBERS TO THEIR BOATS ON AN UNSCHEDULED CHARTER FLIGHT. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE APPEARED TO BE FLARING TO LAND, WHEN IT ENTERED A SLIGHT LEFT TURN & THE LEFT FLOAT 'DUG INTO' THE WATER. THE PILOT BELIEVED THE AIRPLANE MAY HAVE ENCOUNTERED A BOAT'S WAKE THAT HE DID NOT SEE BEFORE THE ENCOUNTER. A CREW MEMBER FROM A NEARBY BOAT DOVE INTO THE WATER AND HELPED THE PILOT AND PASSENGERS ESCAPE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9944V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9944V), registered now, S/N 18051798, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180h) (registry code 2072618) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 51798
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Cordova Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 17, 1989, 50 hours before
- Departed: CKU, CORDOVA CITY, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,350 total, 3 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19890523015059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890523015059A), May 23, 1989: Cessna 180H, Green Island, AK, Substantial damage. Dug a float into water on landing. Aircraft flipped over. Pilot believes he hit a boat wake on touchdown.

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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