# NTSB ANC91LA004: Cessna 180, N3330D, Anchorage, AK, October 10, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 10, 1990, 10:12 local (18:12 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.220748, -149.850402 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2207&lon=-149.8504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5502
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5502/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA004

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE EXCESSIVE TAXI SPEED AND INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE ON THE BRAKES BY THE PILOT.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - taxispeed - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING TO SECURE THE CABIN DOOR. AFTER LANDING, THE AIRPLANE GROUNDLOOPED DURING A HIGH SPEED RIGHT TURN OFF THE RUNWAY ONTO THE TAXIWAY. THE RIGHT PILOT'S LEFT BRAKE PEDAL WAS 'SPONGY', WHILE THE OTHER BRAKES SEEMED NORMAL. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, AIR WAS BLED FROM THE LEFT BRAKE CYLINDER. ON THE PREVIOUS DAY, THE FLOATS HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM THE AIRPLANE AND WHEELS REINSTALLED. THIS WAS THE PILOT'S FIRST LANDING WITH THE AIRPLANE USING THE RIGHT SET OF BRAKES AFTER REINSTALLATION OF THE WHEELS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3330D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3330D), registered now, S/N 32128, 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: 32128
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-J 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Bristol Bay Lodge
- Departed: LHD, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Destination: ORT, NORTHWAY, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MRI, Merrill Field, runway 24, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 6,500 total, 400 in this make and model, 6,300 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRI

## 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 19901010044789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901010044789A), Oct 10, 1990: Cessna 180, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Tried to turn off runway too fast. Began to ground loop bu unable to stop turn due to weak brake.

## Other investigations on N3330D (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 LAX80FXQ10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FXQ10), Dec 3, 1979: Cessna 180 (N3330D), Reno, NV, substantial damage
- [NTSB UNK64X1336](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X1336), Apr 16, 1964: Cessna 180 (N3330D), St Anthony, ID, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.
