# NTSB ANC90LA139: Cessna 180, N52098, Soldotna, AK, August 11, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 11, 1990, 12:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Soldotna, AK
- Coordinates: 60.320339, -150.790985 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.3203&lon=-150.7910&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5424
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5424/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA139

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION CAUSED BY INFLIGHT SIPHONING OF FUEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,tank - loose (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - siphoning (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE MADE A FORCED LANDING INTO THE TREES FOLLOWING AN ENGINE FAILURE. ABOUT 5 MINUTES EARLIER, THE PILOT REPORTEDLY SAW FUEL SIPHONING FROM THE RIGHT FUEL TANK FILLER CAP. THE BOTTOM OF THE RIGHT FUEL BLADDER WAS FOUND TO BE NOT SECURELY FASTENED. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL TANKS WERE ALMOST EMPTY IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N52098 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18052498
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R25A 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John D Amundsen
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: NONE, DRIFT RIVER, AK
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,000 total, 900 in this make and model, 2,950 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19900811033339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900811033339A), Aug 11, 1990: Cessna 180J, Soldotna, AK, Substantial damage. Engine quit due to fuel exhaustion. Crashed in trees. Right tank fuel bladder collapsed. Forced fuel from fuel cap.

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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