# NTSB ANC92LA038: Cessna 180, N2788X, Shishmaref, AK, February 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 14, 1992, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Shishmaref, AK
- Coordinates: 66.019218, -165.909652 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=66.0192&lon=-165.9097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5692
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92LA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5692/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA038

## Probable cause

THE NON-INSTRUMENTED RATED PILOT-IN-COMMAND ATTEMPTED VISUAL FLIGHT INTO KNOWN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE FOG, THE ICING CONDITIONS, AND THE PILOT'S OVER CONFIDENCE IN HIS PERSONAL ABILITY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE, ON A VISUAL FLIGHT WITH A NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT AT THE CONTROLS, ENTERED FOG IMMEDIATELY AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE.  THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO EXIT THE FOG ABOUT 30 SECONDS LATER HEADING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AT A VERY LOW ALTITUDE AND IN A SLIGHT LEFT TURN BEFORE IMPACTING THE GROUND.  PERSONNEL WHO ARRIVED AT THE SCENE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE OCCURRENCE REPORTED SEEING THE PLANE'S WINGS AND HORIZONTAL STABILIZER GLAZED OVER WITH ICE.  THE PILOT REPORTEDLY SCRAPED ICE OFF OF THE PLANE'S PROPELLER AND WINGS PRIOR TO COMMENCING THE FLIGHT. THE 1815 AWOS RECORDED A PARTIAL OBSCURATION, CEILING 200 FT. OVERCAST, AND A VISIBILITY OF 2 MILES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2788X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2788X-2015-05-15), registration cancelled 2015-05-15, S/N 18051588, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180h) (registry code 2072618) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18051588
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sheldon, Robert J.
- Registered owner: Sheldon, Robert J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000, 89 hours before
- Destination: OTZ, KOTZEBUE, AK
- Airport: K09, New Shishmaref, runway 23, 5,000 × 70 ft, snow

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 778 total, 663 in this make and model, 725 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 280° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: -2 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SHH, 1 nm away

## 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 19920214003009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920214003009A), Feb 14, 1992: Cessna 180H, Shishmaref, AK, Substantial damage. Encountered whiteout conditions after departure into fog and low ceiling. Lost control and crash landed.

## Other investigations on N2788X (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 SEA74DYE46](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74DYE46), Jun 7, 1974: Cessna 180H (N2788X), Granite Fall, WA, 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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