# NTSB ANC93LA041: Cessna 180H, N9737G, Port Alsworth, AK, March 8, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 8, 1993, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Port Alsworth, AK
- Coordinates: 60.199417, -154.280044 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.1994&lon=-154.2800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5868
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93LA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5868/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA041

## Probable cause

THE NON INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT IN COMMAND ENTERING INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE SNOW/WHITEOUT CONDITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - whiteout (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE NON INSTRUMENT RATED PRIVATE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE ENTERED WHITEOUT CONDITIONS CAUSED BY BLOWING SNOW SHORTLY AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE AND UNINTENTIONALLY ALLOWED THE PLANE TO DESCEND AND COLLIDE WITH THE FROZEN SURFACE OF THE LAKE.  THE PILOT FURTHER REPORTED THAT HE DID NOT HAVE A CURRENT BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW (BFR) OR FLIGHT MEDICAL AND THAT HE DID NOT RECALL HAVING RECEIVED INSTRUCTION ON HOW TO EXECUTE A 180 DEGREE CHANGE OF DIRECTION TURN USING ONLY THE BASIC (PARTIAL PANEL) FLIGHT INSTRUMENTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9737G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9737G), registered now, S/N 18052237, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180H
- 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: 18052237
- Airframe hours: 2400
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470R 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hornberger, Charles G.
- Registered owner: Hornberger, Charles G.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1992, 127 hours before
- Destination: KOKSETNA LODGE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 4,000 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 30 °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 19930308005799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930308005799A), Mar 8, 1993: Cessna 180H, Port Alsworth, AK, Substantial damage. On climbout encountered heavy snow and whiteout over frozen lake. Lost control impacted lake ice.

## Other investigations on N9737G (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 ANC98LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA015), Jan 8, 1998: Cessna 180H (N9737G), Chugiak, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's selection of an unsuitable area for landing. A factor relating to the accident was: the crusty, snow covered surface of the airstrip.

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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