# NTSB ANC89LA161: Cessna 180, N2355C, Yakataga, AK, September 9, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 9, 1989, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Yakataga, AK
- Coordinates: 60.789478, -145.610549 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.7895&lon=-145.6105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5256
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5256/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA161

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND INADVERTENTLY ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO GROUND LOOP.  THE TAILWIND WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

## 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
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AS THE PILOT WAS LANDING TOWARD EAST, THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED TO THE LEFT. SUBSEQUENTLY, A WINGTIP, MAIN GEAR & THE PROPELLER WERE DAMAGED DURING THE OCCURRENCE. THE WIND WAS ESTIMATED TO BE FROM 270 DEG AT 10 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2355C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2355C), registered now, S/N 30655, built 1953 (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: 30655
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Hugh Glassbury, doing business as Methow Aviation
- Registered owner: Methow Aviation, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: CYT, Yakataga, runway 7, 4,950 × 150 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total, 100 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890909034379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890909034379A), Sep 9, 1989: Cessna 180, Yakataga, AK, Substantial damage. Landed downwind, lost control and ground looped.

## Other investigations on N2355C (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 ANC75DAG28](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC75DAG28), Sep 5, 1974: Cessna 180 (N2355C), Farewell, AK, substantial damage

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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