# NTSB ANC90LA188: Cessna 180, N9339T, Swift River, AK, October 1, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1990, 18:30 local (Oct 1, 1990, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Swift River, AK
- Coordinates: 55.920551, -159.48941 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.9206&lon=-159.4894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5466
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA188
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5466/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA188

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO UNDERSTAND THE PERFORMANCE DATA OF THE AIRPLANE, AND HIS FAILURE TO IDENTIFY UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - unavailable, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING A TAKEOFF ON THE LAKE, THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO CLEAR THE RISING TERRAIN AT THE END OF THE LAKE. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE SLOPING TERRAIN IN A CLIMB ALTITUDE. AFTER GROUND IMPACT, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER ON TO ITS BACK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9339T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9339T-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N 50839, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180c) (registry code 2072608) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 50839
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: George Ziots
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 812 total, 445 in this make and model, 650 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19900930043539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900930043539A), Sep 30, 1990: Cessna 180C, Swift River, AK, Substantial damage. Failed to clear rising terrain after a water takeoff from a unnamed lake.

## Other investigations on N9339T (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 ANC90LA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA064), May 4, 1990: Cessna 180C (N9339T), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE.

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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