# NTSB ANC91LA148: Cessna 180, N9640B, Telida, AK, September 16, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 16, 1991, 13:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Telida, AK
- Coordinates: 55.920894, -159.48912 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.9209&lon=-159.4891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5621
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5621/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA148

## Probable cause

THE PILOT GETTING DISORIENTED DURING FLIGHT DUE TO HIS INATTENTIVENESS, THE AIRPLANE'S LOW FUEL LEVEL, THE FSS SPECIALIST'S GIVING THE PILOT AN INCORRECT HEADING TO FLY, POOR RADIO COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE FSS AND THE PILOT, THE STRONG CROSSWIND, AND THE AIRPLANE'S LANDING PERFORMANCE CAPABILITY BEING EXCEEDED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inattentive, pilot in command
  - df steer - improper, faa(airways facility personnel) (contributing factor)
  - air/ground communications - poor
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not possible, undetermined
  - aircraft performance,landing capability - exceeded

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT BECAUSE OF STRONGER THAN ANTICIPATED ENROUTE WINDS, HE BECAME DISORIENTED.  HE RADIOED THE FSS THAT HE WAS DISORIENTED AND LOW ON FUEL, AND REQUESTED ADF STEER TO AN AIRPORT.  HE WAS MISTAKENLY GIVEN A HEADING THAT TOOK HIM FURTHER AWAY FROM HIS DESTINATION RATHER THAN TOWARDS IT.  DESPITE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS, THE FSS SPECIALIST WAS UNABLE TO CONTACT THE PILOT AGAIN TO CORRECT THE ERROR.  ABOUT 43 MINUTES LATER, WITH HIS FUEL ALMOST EXHAUSTED, HE LANDED AT A SMALL AIRSTRIP ABOUT 70 MILES NORTHEAST OF HIS DESTINATION.  DURING LANDING, HE EXPERIENCED AN ESTIMATED 35 KNOT CROSSWIND, LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, AND GROUND LOOPED THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9640B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9640B), registered now, S/N 32937, built 1957 (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: 32937
- Airframe hours: 3520
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-K 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Patrick S. Twohy
- Registered owner: Patrick S. Twohy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 7, 1991, 14 hours before
- Departed: DCK, DAHL CREEK, AK
- Destination: MCG, MCGRATH, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: AK52, Telida, runway 3, 1,100 × 30 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 360 total, 194 in this make and model, 212 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 30 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °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 19910916045539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910916045539A), Sep 16, 1991: Cessna 180, Telida, AK, Substantial damage. Lost directional control landing. Ground looped. Crosswind exceeded aircraft crosswind component. Was low on fuel.

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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