# NTSB ANC93LA032: Cessna 180, N3680C, Elmendorf Afb, AK, February 6, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 6, 1993, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Elmendorf Afb, AK
- Coordinates: 61.270561, -149.789077 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2706&lon=-149.7891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5863
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93LA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5863/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA032

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S EXCESSIVE TAXI SPEED. A FACTOR WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SNOW COVERED SURFACE.

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE SKI-EQUIPPED AIRPLANE STATED THAT WHILE HE WAS MAKING A WIDE LEFT TURN, IN PREPARATION FOR A RUNNING TAKEOFF ON THE FROZEN LAKE, THE AIRPLANE'S NOSE AND RIGHT WING SUDDENLY HIT THE SURFACE. THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR BOX WAS TORN FROM THE FUSELAGE. THE SURFACE OF THE FROZEN LAKE WAS COVERED WITH ABOUT 2 FT OF FRESH SNOW, WITH SOME HIGHER DRIFTS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, taxi - to takeoff
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - taxispeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3680C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3680C), registered now, S/N 31179, built 1954 (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: 31179
- Airframe hours: 4098
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-A 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John D. Holmquist
- Registered owner: John D. Holmquist
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 20, 1992, 35 hours before
- Airport: NONE, Six Mile Lake Spb, runway 25, 3,000 × 0 ft, snow

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,157 total, 283 in this make and model, 4,043 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 17 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft broken
- Temperature: 18 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EDF, 2 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 19930206002139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930206002139A), Feb 6, 1993: Cessna 180, Elmendorf Afb, AK, Substantial damage. Tore landing gear box out of fuselage of ski equipped aircraft during a fast turn for a running takeoff.

## Other investigations on N3680C (2)

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 ANC93LA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA132), Aug 1, 1993: Cessna 180 (N3680C), Sparrevohn, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. A FACTOR WAS THE ANIMAL ON THE RUNWAY.
- [NTSB ANC90LA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA156), Aug 27, 1990: Cessna 180-A (N3680C), Lime Village, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO UNDERSTAND THE PERFORMANCE DATA DURING TAKEOFF. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN NOT BEING IDENTIFIED BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND.

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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