# NTSB ANC92LA009: Cessna 180, N4693B, Berners Bay, AK, October 14, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 13, 1991, 17:00 local (Oct 14, 1991, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Berners Bay, AK
- Coordinates: 58.580074, -134.769851 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.5801&lon=-134.7699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5666
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5666/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA009

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S LOSS OF CONTROL DURING THE PRE TAKEOFF TAXI, DUE TO HIS IMPROPER HANDLING OF THE AIRPLANE.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SOFT TAKEOFF AREA.

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT WHEN HE TURNED THE AIRPLANE AROUND IN PREPARATION FOR A TAKEOFF FROM THE BEACH, THE WHEEL ON THE INSIDE OF THE TURN DUG DOWN INTO THE SAND.  WHEN POWER WAS APPLIED TO BEGIN THE TAKEOFF RUN, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, taxi - to takeoff

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4693B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4693B), registered now, S/N 31591 (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: 31591
- Airframe hours: 3094
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-J 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mueller, Joseph R.
- Registered owner: Mueller, Joseph R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000, 24 hours before
- Destination: JUN, JUNEAU, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 410 total, 286 in this make and model, 317 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 25 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F

## Other investigations on N4693B (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 DEN68F0106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN68F0106), Aug 20, 1967: Cessna 180 (N4693B), Salt Lake City, UT, 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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