# NTSB ANC91LA143: Cessna 180, N243P, Bethel, AK, September 5, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1991, 18:20 local (Sep 5, 1991, 02:20 UTC)
- Place: Bethel, AK
- Coordinates: 60.809253, -161.850128 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8093&lon=-161.8501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5617
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5617/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA143

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN PROPER AIRSPEED.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND THE UNFAVORABLE WIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - uncontrolled
- Nose over, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - tundra

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE HAD JUST LIFTED OFF THE WATER WHEN THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE.  THE AIRPLANE THEN STALLED AND CRASHED ON THE TUNDRA.  AFTER GROUND IMPACT, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER ON ITS BACK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N243P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N243P-2013-03-07), registration cancelled 2013-03-07, S/N 50743, 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: 50743
- Airframe hours: 4304
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lawrence C. Asplund
- Registered owner: Lawrence C. Asplund
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 26, 1991, 150 hours before
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: H Marker Lake, runway 22, 1,100 × 0 ft, water

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,280 total, 1,203 in this make and model, 2,240 as pilot in command, 328 in the last 90 days, 125 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19910904040729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910904040729A), Sep 4, 1991: Cessna 180, Bethel, AK, Substantial damage. Wind shift on takeoff. Noted poor acceleration but continued. Lifted,settled into tundra on shore. Nosed over.

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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