# NTSB ANC91LA073: Cessna 180, N420SB, Pilot Point, AK, June 13, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 12, 1991, 22:30 local (Jun 13, 1991, 06:30 UTC)
- Place: Pilot Point, AK
- Coordinates: 57.499473, -157.280639 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=57.4995&lon=-157.2806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5557
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5557/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA073

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION, DUE TO THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SOFT AND ROUGH TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - fuel system - exhaustion (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE QUIT.  AFTER AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON THE TUNDRA, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER ON ITS BACK.  EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE SHOWED THAT BOTH FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY, AND THE PILOT STATED HE JUST RAN OUT OF FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N420SB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N420SB), registered now, S/N 18052313 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180j) (registry code 2072622) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18052313
- Airframe hours: 3489
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bobby Graham
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 1991, 7 hours before
- Departed: NONE, GERTRUDE CREEK, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,613 total, 1,438 in this make and model, 3,278 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 25 knots
- Visibility: 98 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °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 19910612021719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910612021719A), Jun 12, 1991: Cessna 180J, Pilot Point, AK, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Flipped over landing on tundra.

## Other investigations on N420SB (4)

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 ANC99LA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA042), Apr 4, 1999: Cessna 180 (N420SB), Iliamna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The improper installation of the main landing gear attaching bolt by maintenance personnel, which resulted in total failure of the bolt and collapse of the landing gear.
- [NTSB ANC89LA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA016), Nov 11, 1988: Cessna 180 (N420SB), Meshik Lake, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC89LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA001), Oct 2, 1988: Cessna 180 (N420SB), Wasilla, AK, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC85LA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC85LA180), Sep 7, 1985: Cessna 180-J (N420SB), Egegik, 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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