# NTSB ANC93LA080: Cessna 180A, N5252D, Anchorage, AK, June 6, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1993, 11:38 local (19:38 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.209171, -149.890289 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2092&lon=-149.8903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2352
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93LA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2352/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA080

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTION CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING LANDING. THE TAILWIND WAS A FACTOR.

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT, A GUST OF WIND SWUNG THE TAIL OF THE AIRPLANE TO THE LEFT, AND THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO SKID TO THE RIGHT AND GROUND LOOP. THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED. NO DEFICIENCIES WERE NOTED WITH THE LANDING GEAR WHEEL/BRAKE ASSEMBLY.

## Factual narrative

On June 6, 1993, at 1138 Alaska daylight time (ADT), a wheel equipped Cessna 180A airplane, N5252D, owned and operated by the pilot in command, crashed during the landing rollout on runway 33 at Merrill Field, Alaska.  The private certificated pilot in command and the one passenger, the sole occupants, were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage.  The airplane was being operated as a pleasure flight under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred.  The flight originated at Port Alsworth at about 0915.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a VFR flight plan was not filed.

The pilot told the NTSB investigator in charge during the on scene investigation that during the landing rollout, a gust of wind swung the tail of the airplane to the left and the airplane began to skid to the right.  The left main landing gear collapsed and the airplane went over onto its side.  No problems were found with the landing gear wheel/brake assembly.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5252D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5252D), registered now, S/N 50150, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180A
- Registry model: [Cessna 180A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180a) (registry code 2072604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 50150
- Airframe hours: 4726
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-K1 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Severson, Laroy P.
- Registered owner: Severson, Laroy P.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 1992, 57 hours before
- Departed: PORT ALSWORTH, AK
- Airport: MRI, Merrill Field, runway 33, 4,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,223 total, 621 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRI, 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 19930606016989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930606016989A), Jun 6, 1993: Cessna 180A, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on landing roll. Ground looped. Collapsed left main gear.

## Other investigations on N5252D (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB SEA85LA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA173), Jul 19, 1985: Cessna 180G (N5252D), Battle Mountain, NV, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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