# NTSB ANC93LA169: Cessna 180, N180TM, Sweet Lucy Lake, AK, September 6, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1993, 16:00 local (Sep 6, 1993, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Sweet Lucy Lake, AK
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 2, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2423
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93LA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2423/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA169

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISION MAKING.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH WIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, taxi - to takeoff
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE FLOAT PLANE WITH FOUR PERSONS ABOARD WAS UPSET IN HIGH WINDS WHILE TAXIING IN PREPARATION FOR TAKEOFF.

## Factual narrative

On September 5, 1993, at approximately 1600 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped Cessna 180 airplane, N180TM, dragged a wing and overturned while taxiing on Sweet Lucy Lake, 35 miles north of Port Alsworth, Alaska.  The airplane sank, and the private pilot and three passengers escaped without injury.  No flight plan wa on file for the flight to be conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal reasons.  Visual meterorological conditions existed at the time.  The airplane remained submerged on September 8, 1993, and had incurred substantial damage.

The pilot told investigators that he had attempted to sail backwards in the strong southeast wind, but when he added power to taxi, the left wing picked up, the right wing dragged and the airpalne flipped over and sank.  He said all of the occupants swam out and there were no reported injuries.

No NTSB Form 6120.1/2 has been received on this accident and therefore some data is estimated or left blank by the investigator.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N180TM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N180TM), registered now, S/N 32674 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180a) (registry code 2072604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32674
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joyner, James M.
- Registered owner: Joseph M. Joyner, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: LHD, ANCHORAGE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 1,400 total, 100 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 30 knots, gusting 40
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °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 19930905033049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930905033049A), Sep 5, 1993: Cessna 180A, Sweet Lucy Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Tried to water taxi in severe surface wind. Dragged a wing and flipped over. Float equipped 180 sank.

## Other investigations on N180TM (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 ANC02LA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC02LA125), Sep 11, 2002: Cessna 180 (N180TM), Tenakee Springs, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area, which resulted in a nose over on takeoff roll. A factor associated with the accident was soft terrain.

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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